Wage theft is the largest form of theft in the United States. It’s larger than all other forms of theft combined, and it’s not even close. Studies only covered minimum wage violations, not failure to pay overtime or failure to pay for all hours worked, and doesn’t even touch issues such as meal/rest break violations or misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

When bosses and companies take advantage of their employees, they are using their authority to steal from the very people making the business function. Many do it because they think that the employee can’t afford to fight against them. Defending one’s rights should not be based on whether or not they have money. This is why this practice exists. People deserve the value of their labor, so I put my own money where my mouth is, and only get paid if you get paid.