Homecare Workers Have Same Wage Rights As Other Employees

One of those most over-worked and under-appreciated occupations is home care workers. These workers are at the forefront of ensuring that the oldest and weakest Americans are properly cared for. The United States will grapple with unprecedented demographic shifts in the coming decades as the population continues to age. During that time, home care workers will only grow in importance. They are the only occupation that provides care for the elderly and allows them to stay in their own home. In short, they provide services that are critical for the economy.

Many home care workers will work two or three days in a row without time for adequate sleep and without overtime pay. This results in an entire industry of workers who are overworked and still only make slightly above the poverty line. This is unacceptable and it treats an entire critical occupation poorly.

To correct this injustice, the Department of Labor passed new rules that will bring home care workers under the same regulations regarding wages and other rights as regular workers. This ensures that home care workers are entitled to the same breaks and overtime rules as everyone else.

If you believe that your employer is not paying you a proper wage then you may want to call an attorney that practices labor law. An attorney can go over your situation with you and give you advice on the best course of action. These new rules will take a few months to be fully implemented, so you may not notice an immediate change but don’t let your employer use that to take advantage of you. An attorney can go over these new rules and what they should mean at your job. Take control of your life and know your rights.