If you live in the state of Wisconsin here are steps that you can take to recover unpaid wages.
The first step is to file a wage complaint with the Department of Workforce Development against your current or former employer for unpaid wages. Your unpaid wage claim must be filed within two years of when the wages were earned and payable.
After filing a wage complaint an investigator assigned to your complaint gives notice and a copy of your complaint to your employer. The notice gives the employer the option to either:
Pay the disputed wages
Provide information that disputes the validity of the claim
The Department of Workforce Development is not biased. In matters of wage complaints, it is the responsibility of the employer and the complainants to provide information that establishes validity for their side. Based on the merits of the complaint, the investigator will issue a written decision that determines whether or not wages are due. If wages are due the investigator requests payment from the employer.
Based on the many factors involved, investigations can be very complex. The level of complexity can cause the process to last up to several months. If complainants feel that the process is taking too long they can file their claims in court.