Employers are required to pay workers for overtime and other wages in accordance with state and federal law.  Employers who avoid paying their employees fairly are probably more common than you might expect. If you have experienced any of the following, your wages have probably been underpaid:

You have been denied overtime pay because it was not approved in advance.
You have been denied overtime pay because your employer carries all hours you work (over 40) into the next week and pays you straight time only, or credits you with “comp time”, instead of wages for overtime work.
You were asked to eat at your desk while answering the phone or performing other work, but were not paid for your lunch break.
You did not receive overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week as a cook or a waitress because you were told that you receive a salary, not hourly pay.
Your boss told you that you are an “independent contractor” and therefore does not pay you overtime or provide benefits.
Your work was considered “off-the-clock” when you attended business meetings.
You were not paid for extra time spent preparing to open or close a business.
These are all examples of how employers take unfair advantage of their workers.