09/04/2026
A pay stub should reflect more than the hours an employee worked. It should also reflect whether those hours were paid at the legally required rate.
In 2026, Missouri’s minimum wage is $15 per hour. Tipped employees must generally receive at least half that amount directly from the employer, and their combined wages and tips must reach the full minimum wage. Illinois employees age 18 and older are also generally entitled to a minimum wage of $15 per hour, with a minimum direct wage of $9 per hour for tipped workers.
Many non-exempt employees are also entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Misclassifying an employee, failing to count work performed before or after a shift, or relying on tips that do not make up the required wage can result in unpaid compensation.
Sedey Harper Westhoff represents employees in Missouri and Illinois when employers fail to pay wages required by law. If the hours on your pay stub do not match the work you performed, it may be worth taking a closer look. https://bit.ly/4rCPyhy