FYI: denied overtime for 6 months

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. The participants and conversations are fictional. These are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences or reports of actual results.
Started by BarAdmitted2019_19 · Sep 21, 2025 · 1,851 views · 11 replies
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
BA
BarAdmitted2019_19 OP

I'm dealing with a situation and need some guidance.

denied overtime for 6 months. I've been dealing with this for about 7 months now and the situation isn't improving.

I have worked at this company for 2 years. My position is non-exempt and I do not have a written employment agreement beyond the standard offer letter.

What are the risks if I pursue this? What's the likely timeline?

FP
fine_print_reader_9

Been there. Here's what I learned.

The trap most people fall into is hiring an attorney to send the initial letter. I'd recommend being patient with the process instead.

ST
startuplife_13

I went through almost the exact same thing.

What worked for me was having everything documented. It took 3-6 months but was worth it.

BB
broke_but_hopeful_4

I've dealt with this before.

Once I asked for a supervisor things changed fast/manager. It took 1-3 months but was worth it.

NA
need_advice_asap_2

In my case, it took about 4-8 months to resolve. The key was filing with the appropriate government agency.

YH
your_honor_please_22

I spent way more time googling than I should have before just calling a lawyer.

IA
IP_attorney_33

Not gonna lie, went through something like this -- ended up getting a lawyer involved which made all the difference smh.

HH
hearsay_harry_30

Have you tried reaching out to your state's consumer protection office? They sometimes have free resources or mediation services.

FP
fine_print_reader_26

Following this thread — Same. 100% same. Please update.

DV
diana_v_16

Following this thread — Same. 100% same. Please update.

EF
ImmigrationAttyMJ_4 Verified Attorney

Can confirm the demand letter approach works. I used a template from a legal website, customized it with my specific facts and statutory references, sent it via certified mail, and had a settlement check within 30 days. Total cost: $7 for postage.

RP
erin_c_law_12

Important clarification on arbitration: if your contract has a mandatory arbitration clause, you generally CAN'T sue in court. But here's the thing — filing for arbitration is often MORE intimidating to companies because they have to pay the arbitration fees (often $3,000-5,000 for the company's share). Use this to your advantage.