Millions kept from employees (table)
Employers illegally withhold pay and overtime earnings — often from low-wage workers — that can add up to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Even when the Labor Department steps in, many employers don't repay workers all of the back wages they're owed.
Wages illegally withheld and returned to employees
Millions kept from employees.
Employers illegally withhold pay and overtime earnings — often from low-wage workers — that can add up to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Even when the Labor Department steps in, many employers don't repay workers all of the back wages they're owed.
Wages illegally wihheld and returnd to employees:
| Calendar year | Amount withheld | Amount paid back |
| 2006 | $160024297 | $144538034 |
| 2007 | $194424813 | $185871190 |
| 2008 | $165321237 | $152337593 |
| 2009 | $147971586 | $143062009 |
| 2010 | $165825232 | $157150019 |
| 2011 | $195654194 | $187222560 |
| 2012 | $226852611 | $219853389 |
| 2013 | $209312620 | $199274342 |
| 2014 | $220383726 | $214015860 |
| 2015 | $211204621 | $202951306 |
| 2016 | $222211167 | $217392911 |
| 2017 | $223532712 | $217308746 |
| 2018 | $263146114 | $251966014 |
| 2019 | $287223392 | $279711877 |
| 2020 | $160142939 | $156349387 |
