I am currently involved in a lawsuit with my employer for unpaid overtime wages. My fellow employees and I discovered that we were only being compensated at our normal hourly rate for hours worked in excess of 40 hours a week, despite regulations that mandate overtime pay. We banded together, hired an attorney, and initiated a class action lawsuit against the company. However, over three years have passed, and we remain embroiled in legal battles without any compensation to show for our efforts.

This prolonged struggle for justice is not unique to us. Tens of thousands of Americans find themselves in similar circumstances, grappling with the frustrating and often disempowering legal avenues that stand between them and their rightful earnings. Wage theft is not just a civil matter—it is a deliberate and punitive act that strips hardworking individuals of their deserved incomes. Families rely on every dollar they earn from their labor, and when those wages are stolen, it can lead to devastating financial consequences.

Wage theft is currently treated as a civil infraction, and while companies may face monetary penalties, these are woefully inadequate deterrents. CEOs and business owners must be held accountable at a criminal level. These leaders who endorse or overlook such unethical practices should face jail time if they engage in or allow wage theft.

Statistics from the Economic Policy Institute reveal that wage theft costs American workers over $50 billion annually—far more than the total cost of all larcenies, burglaries, auto thefts, and robberies combined. This staggering loss illustrates the grave injustice faced by employees across the nation and highlights the urgent need for reform.

Changing the legal consequences of wage theft from civil to criminal will prompt executives and businesses to prioritize ethical labor practices and ensure rightful payment of wages. It acts as a strong deterrent and signals to workers everywhere that their rights are protected under the law.

Join me in advocating for legislative change to protect our country's workforce from this pervasive crime. Let's demand for CEOs and corporate officers to face criminal penalties for wage theft. Please sign this petition to hold them accountable and bring justice to employees everywhere.