Wage Theft Recovery Calculator
Calculate unpaid wages from minimum wage violations, unpaid overtime, or off-the-clock work.
⚖️ Legal📐 Unpaid = Hours × Correct Rate - Amount Paid
Hours worked per week
Actual wage paid ($/hr)
Legal wage owed ($/hr)
Weeks this continued
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Wage Theft Recovery Calculator | Unpaid = Hours × Correct Rate - Amount Paid | $ |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
Minimum Wage Violation
45 hrs/week at $9 instead of $15, 52 weeks.
- Weekly gap: $307.50 | 52 weeks: $15,990
- Liquidated: $31,980
✓ $15,990 + $31,980 liquidated
Example 2
Unpaid Overtime
50 hrs, paid $20/hr straight-time, 26 weeks.
- OT gap: ~$2,600 | Liquidated: $2,600
✓ $2,600 + liquidated
Example 3
Off-the-Clock
2 hrs/week at $18/hr, 104 weeks.
- Total: $3,744 | Liquidated: $3,744
✓ $3,744 owed
Real-World Applications
Employees
Calculate unpaid wages owed to you.
Labor Attorneys
Estimate wage theft recovery.
HR Compliance
Audit pay practices for violations.
Worker Advocates
Document wage theft for complaints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Statute of limitations
FLSA: 2 years (3 for willful). File promptly.
⚠️
Missing liquidated damages
FLSA allows 100% liquidated damages (double back pay) unless employer shows good faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wage theft? ▾
Underpaying minimum wage, not paying OT, tip theft, off-the-clock work, misclassifying employees as contractors.
How to report it? ▾
File a DOL Wage and Hour Division complaint or retain an employment attorney (often contingency — no upfront cost).
Federal minimum wage? ▾
$7.25/hr federal, but many states and cities are higher. Employers must pay the highest applicable minimum.