The U.S. Department of Labor is trying to reconnect 7,170 workers owed nearly $1.8 million in unpaid wages collected on their behalf in Colorado.
“Our priority is to help workers get back their money,” said Juan Rodriguez, a spokesman for the department in Dallas.
To that end, the department’s Wage and Hour Division has rolled out a new online search tool called to make it easier for people to find out whether they are owed money.
The wage claims result from investigations for things like violations of the minimum wage law, unpaid overtime or improper payroll withholdings.
Once an investigation concludes, employers attempt to reach workers. If unsuccessful, they hand the unpaid wages and the worker’s contact information over to the department.
Sometimes, employees are aware of investigations and even participate in them. But if an employee leaves before an investigation is concluded, they may be unaware they are owed money.
If not claimed within three years, the wage settlements go into the U.S. Treasury.
“Look up your name so the money doesn’t go back into the general fund,” Rodriguez urged.
If there is a match, a worker will be sent a claim form to fill out. Safeguards are in place to make sure workers are who they say they are.
Nationally, 234,477 workers are owed nearly $121 million in unclaimed wages. In Colorado, wage claims average about $250 a person, although some people are owed much more.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410, asvaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/aldosvaldi
