How to Document Wage Theft and Unpaid Overtime

If your paycheck doesn't match your hours, you need more than just a memory—you need a verified record of your labor.

Wage theft is the most common crime against workers, often disguised as "rounding down," "training hours," or "salaried exemptions." To recover stolen funds, you must be able to prove exactly when you were working versus when you were paid.

Common Patterns of Wage Theft

Off-the-Clock Work: Being asked to "clean up" or "finish one last thing" after punching out.
Unpaid Breaks: Automatically deducting 30 minutes for lunch even when you worked through it.
Misclassification: Labeling you an "Independent Contractor" or "Exempt Manager" to avoid paying overtime rates.
Illegal Deductions: Charging you for uniforms, broken equipment, or cash drawer shortages.

Building Your Defense Log

1. The Personal Punch-Clock: Use WORKWARS to log your exact start and end times every day. Do not rely on the company's software, as they can edit those logs.

2. Capture Directives: Save every text or email from a manager saying, "Can you stay late?" or "Just finish this before you leave." These are evidence of authorized work.

3. Photo Evidence: Take photos of your manual time sheets or digital punch screens before you submit them.

Strategic Note: Most labor boards allow personal logs as secondary evidence if the employer's records are proven to be inaccurate or tampered with.

Log Your Unpaid Hours Now

Need Legal Help Recovering Wages?

Wage theft laws vary by state and province. If you are owed significant back pay or overtime, speak with local employment counsel to review your documentation.

Browse Employment Lawyers

Do Not Wait: Strict Legal Deadlines Apply

Memory fades, witnesses disappear, and employer evidence gets erased. If you wait too long, your case can be legally dismissed — no matter how serious the abuse was.

Start documenting everything immediately. The strongest cases are built in real time, not after termination.

🇺🇸 United States 180 to 300 Days
(EEOC Harassment/Discrimination claims. 2 years for unpaid wages).

🇨🇦 Canada 6 Months to 1 Year
(Human Rights & Labor Board complaints. Varies by province).

🇬🇧 United Kingdom 3 Months Less 1 Day
(Strict deadline for Employment Tribunal claims).

🇫🇷 France 1 to 5 Years
(1 yr for dismissal disputes, 5 yrs for harassment claims).

*Deadlines vary by specific jurisdiction and claim type. Always consult a legal professional or legal aid clinic immediately to confirm your exact deadline.

*Deadlines vary by case type. Always confirm with a labor board, union, or legal professional immediately.

Emergency Worker Rights & Protection Guides

My boss took my passport and won’t return it Employer threatened to cancel my work permit Unsafe employer housing for migrant workers Escape abusive employer closed work permit Caregiver abuse in private homes Warehouse harassment and unsafe quotas Unpaid training and off-the-clock work Undocumented worker rights fast food USA Emergency worker hotlines and safe housing Free legal aid and employment lawyers