Kaplan Fox Can Recover Compensation for Unpaid Work Expenses

Have you ever had to pay for your own uniform? Are you getting mileage reimbursements when you drive for work? Does your office make you pay for your own cell phone plan to check work email? Depending on where you live and how much you earn companies are not allowed to unfairly shift these costs of doing business to workers. If you’ve had to pay for your own work-related expenses you might be entitled to compensation. Our team has a strong track record of representing employees in class action lawsuits against restaurants, retail stores, tech companies, manufacturers and the government when they have violated workers’ rights.

Reimbursements for Uniforms and Equipment

Many laws prohibit employers from requiring employees to purchase their own uniforms at their own expense. For example, if you earn wages near the minimum wage the cost of buying a uniform can cause your wages to dip below the minimum wage for that week, which is illegal. Similarly, in states like New York if you earn the state minimum wage of $8.75 an hour your employer must also pay for the cost of cleaning your uniform or reimburse you for doing so. If you have to pay for dry cleaning or specialized maintenance of your uniform you may also be entitled to reimbursements.

If you need other equipment or tools to do your work a company must also ensure the cost of those tools do not illegally depress your wages below the requirements to pay minimum wages and overtime. Common types of equipment employees need for their work a company might be required to pay for include:

• Drills, hammer, nails, and other tools for construction workers.
• Cleaning supplies, mops, brooms, and vacuums for maintenance workers.
• Duty belts, pepper spray, handcuffs, guns, and radios for security and police officers.
• Cell phones, computers, and printers for office workers who work from home.
• Protective gear, safety goggles, gloves and “bunny suits” for manufacturing workers.

Similarly, an employer cannot shift the costs of doing business to you if it requires you to earn less than the minimum wage. Examples of unfairly shifting the cost of doing business to employees include requiring an employee to pay for car repairs for an auto-accident that occurred while at work or forcing employees to pay for job required drug tests or physical screenings.

Reimbursements for Mileage and Travel Expenses

Similarly, employers cannot require workers to pay for their own travel and mileage expenses in most circumstances. The current IRS rate for mileage reimbursements is 57.5 cents per mile. However, many companies reimburse their employees at rates much lower—or not at all.  Similarly, companies are required to pick up the costs of business trips including daily meals and accommodations.

How to recover your unpaid expense reimbursements

Our employment lawyers have extensive knowledge and experience enforcing workers’ rights in cases involving unreimbursed business expenses. Our dedication to protecting employees’ rights has recovered tens of millions of dollars in class action cases that held employers accountable for their unlawful conduct and ensured better working conditions in the future.

What should I do if I think I have unpaid expense reimbursements?

If you believe you might be entitled to unpaid work-related expense reimbursements, please fill out the form below or call 1-844-333-7660 for a free and confidential consultation.