💸 Wage Gouging Is Theft—And It’s Happening Every Day
You’re showing up to work. Clocking in. Doing more than your job description ever asked. But at the end of the week, the numbers don’t add up. Maybe you didn’t get overtime. Maybe you’re told to show up early—but not clock in until business opens. Maybe your paycheck is missing hours... or "fees" you didn’t agree to. It’s not a mistake. It’s not just “how it is.”
There’s a possibility that what’s happening is wage theft. And wage theft is illegal.
What Is Wage Gouging?
Wage gouging is a form of wage theft, and it’s one of the most underreported crimes in the U.S.
It includes:
Being forced to work off the clock
Unpaid overtime
Misclassification as an “independent contractor”
Illegal paycheck deductions
Not being paid minimum wage
Tip skimming by management
And it happens most often in industries where workers already face massive barriers:
📦 Warehousing
🧹 Domestic work
🍽️ Restaurants + service
🏗️ Construction
đź›’ Retail
đźšš Gig and delivery work
Why Don’t More People Speak Up?
Because the system is built to silence many people, particularly from economically disadvantaged communities. People are scared to lose their jobs. Many can’t afford a lawyer or don’t know where to find one. Immigrant workers—especially undocumented ones—are often threatened with retaliation. Some are told they “don’t deserve” more, especially if they’re formerly incarcerated or working under the table.
Let’s be clear:
Wage theft steals billions from workers every year. And it’s not just happening to individuals—it’s keeping entire communities poor.
You Have Rights—Even If You Think You Don’t
Here’s what’s true:
âś… You deserve to be paid for every hour you work.
✅ You don’t need a lawyer to file a wage complaint.
✅ You don’t need immigration status to report abuse.
✅ You are not being “ungrateful” by demanding what’s yours.
đź’Ľ Free Resources for Workers Facing Wage Theft:
You don’t have to navigate this alone. These tools are here to help:
🧾 File a Complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor
Step-by-step instructions to report wage violations.
⚖️ Find Legal Aid in Your State
Free and low-cost legal assistance near you.
🛠️ National Employment Law Project (NELP)
A leader in worker rights advocacy and research.
🌎 Centro de los Derechos del Migrante
Bilingual support for migrant and undocumented workers.
✊🏽 You Are Not Powerless
Wage theft is so common, it’s been normalized. But we’re not here for normal—we’re here for justice.
And justice starts with information. At De Jure Legacy, we’re reclaiming power through education, rights, and self-determination. If you’ve been underpaid, shorted, or silenced—it’s not your fault. But now you’ve got tools. And tools build legacy.
📬 Want More?
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