Where is the best place to turn if I feel my employer is breaking the law?
I would suggest calling your local FBI phone number if your employer is breaking the law. If it is not the FBI who handles an employer breaking the law, they would know who should get the information. Be very secretive who you speak with at work. Do not let them know what you know. You need to make your telephone calls during your lunch hours, or take off early to take care of this situation. I hope it all works out for you.
If you are in the U.S.A. your state should have a government toll free 800 number you can call for employee & labour related queries and grievances. If you are Canadian there is an employment standards act that is enforced nationally and toll free numbers to reach government employees who explain employees benefits and rights. I’m sure that your employer is under legal obligation to provide you with your employment status, and can be fined for not disclosing that to you. Most businesses retain chartered accountants, payroll accountants or a human resources manager to administer and manage firm financials and payroll. Contact someone in this line of work, even if it isn’t your firm. Employment paralegals should also be able to clarify your enquiries. I hope you are successful.
Go to the state Board of Labor and Industries. They are the regulatory agency for state companies. The attorney general’s office is another resource. The basic difference between exempt and non-exempt employees is that the exempt is paid a salary and is usually in a managerial or supervisory level. They are considered to be critical employees and so are not bound by the labor and hour laws. That is why the term for exempt. So if you are receiving a salary-you are out of luck, especially if you are supervisory or managerial. If you are paid hourly, then the employer is required to pay time and a half by law for any time worked past 40 hours a week. Some skate by this by averaging the hours over a 2 week timeframe-it is real borderline and only quasi-legal.
