Unpaid Wages in New Jersey: How to File a Wage Claim

If your employer did not pay you for all hours worked, you may have options in New Jersey. Wage issues can include unpaid hours, overtime problems, final paycheck issues, off-the-clock work, or being paid below the required rate.

Common Unpaid Wage Problems

• You worked hours that were not on your paycheck
• You worked through unpaid breaks
• Your employer changed your time records
• You were not paid overtime for hours over 40 in a week
• Your final paycheck was not paid
• You were paid less than New Jersey’s minimum wage of $15.13/hour (standard)

Overtime Rule

Many employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some workers are exempt, but employers cannot avoid overtime simply by calling someone “salary” or “manager.”

What to Do First

Write down every unpaid shift. Include:

• Date worked
• Start and end time
• Break time
• Pay rate
• Amount paid
• Amount missing
• Supervisor name

Then gather pay stubs, schedules, texts, emails, timecards, app screenshots, and bank deposit records.

File a Wage Claim

New Jersey wage complaints are handled by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Wage and Hour Compliance at (609) 292-2305.

You can also contact the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243 for federal wage issues.

Written Demand Template

Dear [Employer Name],

I am writing to request payment for hours I worked that were not paid. My records show unpaid wages for the following dates: [list dates and hours]. The amount still owed is $[amount].

Please correct this and provide payment by [date].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Retaliation Warning

If your employer cuts your hours, fires you, threatens you, or punishes you because you asked for wages, document that immediately. Retaliation for asking about wages is a separate protected-rights issue.

Ask Fozak

Fozak can help you calculate missing wages and prepare a wage-claim checklist.