My latest article in Jacobin details the success of Denver’s anti-wage theft law and argues leftist groups should campaign for similar laws across the country.
Simply put, it's any time a boss doesn't pay a worker what they are legally owed. The most common forms are minimum wage violations, unpaid time off violations, and unpaid break violations.
Thanks. I think these things are more or less unheard of outside the US. Appreciate you explaining! The term "wage theft" certainly makes sense in that context.
I don't think I've ever had a job that didn't steal time from me, usually in automatic break deduction even though we were chronically understaffed. This is allowed to happen with so much regularity, across so many industries, that most employees don't realize it's not actually legal: because their supervisors will tell them it is and if you complain, nothing happens. Especially healthcare, retail, and restaurants.
Unfortunately, that doesn't surprise me. I would imagine most workers are victims of time theft. They just don't know it. Even more reason to spread knowledge about it!
Good article, Joe. So frustrating that bills are allowed to sit dormant on the congressional floor. Politicians make a big stink, showing the public how wonderful they are by introducing a reform, get media attention, then nothing. Our congress needs a procedural adjustment. One issue per bill (not the pork belly add-ons), written in language the average American can understand (not only the legalese that no one understands), congress (not their aide) is required to read it, and everyone (no abstains, no no shows) should be required to be voted on it within a reasonable time frame.
I couldn't agree more! I once heard an idea that bills should be limited to 5 pages so that they are simple language and short. I think that's the right idea, and I'd like to see politics head in that direction.
🖤 Jacobin 95.5% of the time.
That's a A! I'll take it!
You always get an A from me, you're ruining the curve, lol
What is wage theft?
Simply put, it's any time a boss doesn't pay a worker what they are legally owed. The most common forms are minimum wage violations, unpaid time off violations, and unpaid break violations.
Thanks. I think these things are more or less unheard of outside the US. Appreciate you explaining! The term "wage theft" certainly makes sense in that context.
This makes me happy and depressed.
Glad it makes sense!
I don't think I've ever had a job that didn't steal time from me, usually in automatic break deduction even though we were chronically understaffed. This is allowed to happen with so much regularity, across so many industries, that most employees don't realize it's not actually legal: because their supervisors will tell them it is and if you complain, nothing happens. Especially healthcare, retail, and restaurants.
Unfortunately, that doesn't surprise me. I would imagine most workers are victims of time theft. They just don't know it. Even more reason to spread knowledge about it!
This IS something I try to do but I live in a "Right To Work" state and it apparently interfered with my ability to have a right to work, sigh.
Good article, Joe. So frustrating that bills are allowed to sit dormant on the congressional floor. Politicians make a big stink, showing the public how wonderful they are by introducing a reform, get media attention, then nothing. Our congress needs a procedural adjustment. One issue per bill (not the pork belly add-ons), written in language the average American can understand (not only the legalese that no one understands), congress (not their aide) is required to read it, and everyone (no abstains, no no shows) should be required to be voted on it within a reasonable time frame.
I couldn't agree more! I once heard an idea that bills should be limited to 5 pages so that they are simple language and short. I think that's the right idea, and I'd like to see politics head in that direction.