In the event you’ve ever been denied extra time pay or been paid lower than minimal wage, it’s seemingly you’ve been a sufferer of wage theft, which a brand new report exhibits has grown to grow to be an almost billion-dollar downside in Iowa.
In line with Frequent Good Iowa, employers have been stealing over $900 million per yr from 1 / 4 of one million Iowa employees.
That’s round 1 in each 7 employees, the group stated. It is usually growing; the final time the report was finished 10 years in the past, that quantity was simply $600 million stolen a yr.
“This insidious and rising downside prices Iowans 10 instances greater than all different types of theft mixed,” stated Sean Finn, a coverage analyst at Frequent Good who authored the report, “A Heist in Plain Sight,” launched this week.
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Properly over half of that cash, or $501 million, is from employers not paying required extra time pay for greater than 40 hours of hourly work, which in lots of instances is the same as time-and-a-half of staff’ common wage. One other $241 million is from minimal wage violations.
And solely a tiny fraction is ever recovered, the report discovered, most likely as a result of the state has simply two wage declare investigators overseeing 1.6 million employees.
“Iowans desire a authorities that protects them from crime and injustices. However of the $900 million stolen by employers every year, authorities businesses recuperate a mean of simply $2 million—lower than 1 p.c,” the report discovered.
That’s not simply cash out of your pocket: By dishonest staff out of what they’re rightfully owed, employers are additionally dishonest native, county, and state governments out of tax income, to the tune of $190 million per yr—cash that may in any other case assist pay for roads, faculties and taking the burden off of property taxes.
Who’re most probably victims of wage theft?
Wage theft can occur in any business, however is very prevalent in meals service, hospitality, nursing, little one care, and building, in response to the report. It’s additionally extra more likely to occur to susceptible employees whose employers assume they’ll make the most of, like latest immigrants, individuals who don’t converse English fluently and those that have disabilities.
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It may well occur when tipped employees are illegally pressured to share suggestions in a restaurant, or when employees on a building mission are improperly categorized as “unbiased contractors,” which employers use to keep away from paying issues like unemployment insurance coverage.
And when instances are discovered, it’s not all the time simple to get employers to pay it again.
One longtime Quick’s Burger worker in Iowa Metropolis didn’t notice she had been working extra time with out getting paid pretty for it for the previous 13 years till she reached out to the Heart for Employee Justice of Jap Iowa for assist getting paid after she was injured on the job.
“Staff should take many steps simply to receives a commission the wages they’re owed,” stated Mazahir Salih, govt director of the Heart for Employee Justice.
What will be finished?
The report suggests three massive issues that may begin reversing the huge downside of wage theft.
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First: The state ought to rent extra individuals centered on the issue. Two individuals isn’t slicing it, Finn stated.
“Higher enforcement begins with having sufficient employees to do the job,” he wrote.
Second: The state must do away with the cap.
Iowa Workforce Improvement permits victims to say as much as $6,500 on wage claims in the event that they occurred lower than a yr in the past, that means there’s no penalty if an employer steals way over that or if it’s been occurring loads longer.
“(That) means the worst instances are the primary ones ignored,” Finn stated, calling it “barely a slap on the wrist” even within the uncommon instances employers are dropped at justice.
Lastly: Most victims don’t even know what their employer is doing is unlawful, or taking cash out of their pocket. By sharing the report or articles about it, notably with employees most in danger, employees will probably be extra educated. And information is energy.
“1000’s of Iowa employees go to work every day pondering they’re protected, that legal guidelines require their employers to pay them the correct amount on time,” stated Paul Iversen, an educator on the College of Iowa Labor Heart, who has labored on wage theft instances. “Sadly, for a lot of Iowans, that simply isn’t true.”
By Amie Rivers 10/14/22
Have a narrative thought for me? E mail amie at iowastartingline.com. I’m additionally obtainable by textual content, WhatsApp and Sign at (319) 239-0350, or discover me on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and Fb.
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No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
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If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
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“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
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K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Video: Kirk Ferentz on Iowa’s QB situation heading into Nebraska matchup
Kirk Ferentz discusses a variety of topics ahead of Iowa’s matchup with Nebraska.
Iowa football (7-4) returns home on Friday, hoping to finish its regular season strong against Big Ten Conference foe Nebraska (6-5). NBC will show the 6:30 p.m. CT contest.
The Hawkeyes are coming off an encouraging 29-13 win at Maryland. Nebraska, meanwhile, lost 28-20 at USC last time out.
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Here’s how to watch the Iowa vs. Nebraska game on Friday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
Watch Iowa vs Nebraska on Peacock
What channel is Iowa football vs Nebraska on Saturday?
TV channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network
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Iowa vs. Nebraska will be broadcast nationally on NBC in Week 14 of the 2024 college football season. Streaming options include Peacock.
Iowa vs NBC football time on Friday
Date: Friday, November 29
Start time: 6:30 p.m. (CT)
The Iowa vs. Nebraska game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
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Iowa vs Nebraska football predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Moneyline: Iowa -210, Nebraska +170
Spread: Iowa -5.5
O/U: 39.5
Predictions
Iowa football vs Maryland preview content
More: Leistikow’s thoughts, prediction for Iowa-Nebraska football: A senior class to celebrate
More: Podcast: Where Iowa football stands heading into Black Friday finale vs. Nebraska
More: Iowa football: Kirk Ferentz confirms Jermari Harris’ status for Friday game vs. Nebraska
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Iowa football schedule 2024
Aug. 31: vs. Illinois State, (W, 40-0)
Sept. 7: vs. Iowa State, (L, 20-19)
Sept. 14: vs. Troy, (W, 38-21)
Sept. 21: at Minnesota, (W, 31-14)
Oct. 5: at Ohio State, (L, 35-7)
Oct. 12: vs. Washington, (W, 40-16)
Oct. 19: at Michigan State, (L, 32-20)
Oct. 26: vs. Northwestern, (W, 40-14)
Nov. 2: vs. Wisconsin, (W, 42-10)
Nov. 8: at UCLA, (L, 20-17)
Nov. 23: at Maryland, (W, 29-13)
Nov. 29: vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Record: 5-3
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