Employees occasionally express dissatisfaction with their pay, and it's their right to do so. Employers, in turn, have the freedom to negotiate compensation or maintain the status quo under the law.
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However, not all employee complaints are created equal. Some, such as complaints about unpaid wages, overtime discrepancies, minimum wage violations, or gender-based pay disparities, are considered protected activities under the law. In these cases, employers must exercise caution to avoid adverse actions in response to these complaints. Failure to do so can expose employers to potential legal repercussions, including lawsuits from affected employees. Learn more about responding to employee pay complaints by visiting us at employer's guide to handling employee complaints.