When you spend your own money on work-related expenses, it is illegal for your employer to refuse to reimburse you. However, many workers are left paying for expenses their employers should have covered, such as mileage, tools, uniforms, phone bills, or travel. Having a strong case and recovering what you are owed depends on the type of work you do, your employment classification, and whether your employer’s actions constitute a violation of wage laws.
At Feldman Legal Group, we are results-driven. Our wage and hour attorneys build strong cases, take on some of the largest employers in the country, and litigate aggressively when necessary. If your employer has failed to reimburse you for legitimate business expenses, contact our team to speak with an Atlanta failure to reimburse expenses lawyer. We could help you recover the expenses you are owed.
What Makes Failure To Reimburse Wages a Violation?
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay at least the federal minimum wage, which is currently set at $7.25 per hour. An employer could violate the FLSA if work-related expenses reduce an employee’s net pay to below minimum wage. For example, if a delivery driver is paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour but spends $100 per week on gasoline and car maintenance with no reimbursement from the employer, the worker is effectively earning less than minimum wage. The employer could be liable for an FLSA violation. Additionally, if an employee is eligible for overtime pay and their employer has not reimbursed them for expenses, this can affect the overtime calculation. If your employer has failed to pay you for expenses, contact an Atlanta attorney at Feldman Legal Group for help.
Common Examples of Failure To Reimburse Violations
Failing to reimburse workers for job-related expenses is common. Employers may present the need to pay for expenses as normal or part of the job, but the law protects workers who are paying for the employer’s expenses. Some common examples where an employee would have a strong claim include:
- Driving a personal vehicle but not getting paid for mileage
- Being required to pay for uniforms, equipment, or tools
- Paying for a personal phone or data plan and being required to use it for work
- Incurring travel costs between worksites or clients without reimbursement
- Being labeled as an independent contractor while being treated as an employee
A failure to reimburse expenses attorney in Atlanta could help you determine what your employer owes you.
What Evidence Helps Strengthen These Cases?
Failure to reimburse cases need sufficient documentation to be successful, and our Atlanta lawyers could help you gather and organize several types of documents to serve as evidence of your unpaid expenses. For example, pay stubs and payroll records help establish your base wage and whether deductions or underpayments occurred. You should save receipts or expense logs, such as:
- Mileage logs
- Fuel receipts
- Uniform purchase receipts
- Phone bills
- Invoices for required tools
Additionally, work policies or employee handbooks may help support your claim in cases where an employer’s policies promise reimbursement. Document any communication with supervisors or Human Resources that shows reimbursement was requested, denied, or ignored, as this demonstrates that the employer was aware of the issue and chose not to resolve it.
Contact Our Atlanta Team for Help Getting Your Expenses Reimbursed
At Feldman Legal Group, we are committed to holding employers accountable and getting workers the results they deserve. Our legal team could evaluate your case and offer honest feedback.
We may help you gather documentation, file complaints and civil action, negotiate with your employer, and take your case to trial. If you believe you are due reimbursement that has been unlawfully withheld, contact Mitchell Feldman to speak with an Atlanta failure to reimburse expenses lawyer.
(877) 946-8293