It’s called the “Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies” or the “Stop BEZOS Act” and its aim is to target large companies who he says do not pay workers enough.
Many people have long complained that the amount of money they make is not enough to live off of. Senator Sanders is specifically targeting companies like Amazon and Walmart but has also highlighted low wages at Burger King, McDonald’s, and American Airlines.
The heart of the argument is that companies as wealthy as these should pay employees enough so they don’t have to rely on government assistance programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and public housing.
Low wages are nothing new. Though California has been at the forefront of raising the minimum wage, which will reach $15 an hour by 2023, that does not mean that it is keeping up with the cost of living.
In Los Angeles, the average cost of living is high, with housing being the biggest factor.
A major problem, aside from being paid a low minimum wage that cannot keep up with the rising cost of living, is unfair wage practices.
Companies do not like to pay overtime, but they often force their employees to work more hours than they are paid for. This is illegal.
California workers are entitled to 1 ½ times their regular wage for additional time worked over 8 hours in a day. If you work more than 12 hours in a day, wages are supposed to double.
Sometimes, employers will attempt to skirt the law by classifying employees as “independent contractors” instead of “employees.” They do this to avoid paying benefits that are required to company employees.
This practice victimized California employees, leaving them without healthcare, paid leave, and discrimination protections. It also forces them to pay more in taxes to cover what the employer would have been required to pay.
The commission is compensation paid to employees for services provided while selling or closing a sale. Sometimes, an employer will terminate an employee before they receive a commission.
This can severely hurt your finances because you entered into an agreement with an employer with the understanding that part of your wages would be commission-based.
This is also illegal behavior that you have the right to fight.
When you need an unfair wage attorney in Los Angeles, contact The Kaufman Law Firm by clicking here or calling us at 310-981-3404. Our experienced and knowledgeable team will get to work investigating your claim.
We will make sure you are treated fairly by your employer, working to get you the compensation you lost out on as well as pain and suffering and punitive damages. We believe in upholding the law, even if your employer does not. The Kaufman Law Firm has been working since 1993 to help men and women fight for their employment rights, so you can trust you will be in good hands.