ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wage theft

Wage theft is when someone doesn't get paid all of the money they're supposed to earn for the work they do. Let's say you're helping your friend clean their room and they promised to give you $5 for it. You finish helping them, but they only give you $3. That's wage theft!

Now imagine adults who work for companies, like your mommy or daddy. Sometimes, their bosses don't give them all the money they're supposed to get for the work they do. This is also called wage theft. It's not fair because people work hard for their money, and they deserve to get paid all of it.

Wage theft can happen in different ways, like when someone is forced to work overtime without getting paid for it, or when their boss doesn't give them the minimum wage they're supposed to earn by law. This is why it's important for grown-ups to stand up for themselves and know their rights when it comes to their pay. And remember, it's always important to be fair and honest with people, especially when it comes to their hard-earned money!