Being able to work from home or locations outside of a physical office is a benefit of our modern times; as such the number of persons working as freelance professionals has increased. Approximately one-third of the nation’s workforce – 35 million or so – is freelance. And just as the internet has made it easier to find and hire the services of freelancers, it’s becoming just as easy to avoid paying them for their work. Short of waging expensive legal battles – that end up costing more than the amount of underpayment itself – freelancers often have little recourse toward being paid what they are due. The Freelancers Union is bringing this issue to light nationwide, and has lobbied heavily for the passage of a New York bill that would help with repayment.
recently, with the West Village hookah bar/lounge and restaurant Veranda admitting to wage violations that will cost the owners $200,000 in total. Under the almost-year-old Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA) of NY $150,000 will go toward repaying employees who were compensated below the hourly minimum wage and not given overtime wages, when due. The remaining $50,000 will go toward lost wages, damages and penalties for the wrongful termination of two employees who first brought the wage violations to light. It is only via the WTPA that such large penalties due to retaliation are incurred.
