I've found Americans are woefully ignorant of employment law. But the employers are not.

Employers are scared shitless of a call from the state labor board. 2 jobs ago I had a really weaselly, small time, company owner. My god, the things that man would say and do to fuck you around. But he stayed within the law and did not fuck around on paychecks.

One time I was shorted $200. Honest mistake. He called me personally and said he would give me $200 out of his wallet, that afternoon, if it was not in my bank account by EOB.

My last job was for a payroll firm. I don't think it's common knowledge, but most places farm out the payroll. Let the experts handle it because the laws and taxes get complex in a hurry. Even our shitty clients wouldn't play around with pay.

Example; You work overtime and aren't paid, or paid correctly. You call the labor board and the employer is on the hook to prove your hours. One call, guilty until proven innocent, and it's on them. If they cannot, the labor board defaults to the employee.

"I worked 80-hours a week for these assholes and got paid for 40!"

Aight. One call and the employer shows your signature agreeing to the hours worked, or they pay. All of it. Every time.