Criminal Charges for Wage Theft Increasing

Employers that don’t pay employees what they’re owed could face criminal penalties. An increasing number of states, including California, Illinois, and New York, have criminalized wage theft. The laws vary considerably. In some, the crime is a misdemeanor, while in others it’s a felony. Punishment may be fines and/or imprisonment. On June 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced plans to address certain criminally liable regulatory offenses. #IdeaoftheDay