Quebec · Labour Standards Act · CNESST · Wage Recovery

Wage Theft
Quebec — Claim What You're Owed

Not paying earned wages is not an administrative error — it's theft. Quebec's Labour Standards Act gives you 3 years to recover every unpaid dollar, retroactively, with interest.

3 years
Retroactive claim period
1.5x
Overtime rate owed
67
Letters generated in Quebec
✍ Generate my legal letter → Calculate what I'm owed
The law
Overtime Pay — Your Legal Right

Every non-exempt employee is entitled to 1.5 times their hourly rate for every hour worked beyond 40 hours per week. This applies even if your contract states otherwise — that clause is void under the LNT.

3-Year Retroactive Recovery

You can claim all unpaid wages from the last 3 years. If your employer has systematically underpaid you, the total can be very significant. CNESST recovers these amounts at no cost to you.

Steps to take now
01

Calculate exactly what you're owed

Gather your pay stubs and actual hours worked. Note every week you exceeded 40 hours without proper compensation.

02

Send a formal demand letter first

Before filing with CNESST, a formal letter to your employer can resolve the issue quickly. WORKWARS generates this with your legal digital fingerprint.

03

File with CNESST if needed

CNESST can recover your wages for free with inspection powers and penalties.

04

Document any retaliation immediately

If your employer threatens you or changes your conditions after your claim, document it immediately — this is a prohibited practice under the LNT.

Active signal

19 workers in Quebec for wage theft have documented their situation via WORKWARS. This report is part of a growing legal signal. You are not alone.

Frequently asked questions
My employer says I'm an exempt salaried employee — is that true?
The exemption only applies to certain managers with genuine decision-making power. Most employees — including many managers — are entitled to overtime.
Do tips count as part of my wages?
Tips received directly from customers belong entirely to you. Your employer cannot use them to offset minimum wage obligations.
What if my employer has closed or gone bankrupt?
Quebec's Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) allows recovery of some unpaid wages even in the event of employer bankruptcy.

Your case starts now

Every week of inaction is another week your money stays in your employer's pocket. Generate your claim letter now — free in 3 minutes.

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