Background:
- Working in the US in Wisconsin.
- Started at Company X as part-time (9am - 2pm)
- Transitioned to full-time hours (9am - 5pm)
- Recently discovered that I was still classified as a part-time employee
- According to Company X's employee handbook, 40 hours a week is the requirement to be considered a full-time employee
- I have been working 40 hour weeks for over a year and a half
- This was discovered when I talked to HR about missing PTO
- Had a HR and manager meeting to instate medical benefits and vacation
- I was given 4/10 vacation days to use for the rest of the year, calculated based on time left in the year, and denied payment for previous claimed "PTO" due to them saying they can't add it on past paychecks?
Given the above information I'm struggling to figure out what to do. Obviously management knew, I was screwed over intentionally by not classifying me correctly. This is 100% against Company X's handbook.
What I'm trying to figure out is if the PTO I took in the previous calendar year wasn't paid, the PTO I took this year wasn't paid can be recuperated as well as my full 10 days of PTO that I have been cheated out of.
All I have done so far is have had that HR meeting with my manager to get my medical benefits, nothing more has been signed done or otherwise sorted out from my end because of these looming issues.
I feel like they are trying to pull a fast one over me for what I am owed.
Question:
Should I approach this as a back-pay issue or a labor classification issue. Do I need a lawyer or can I draft a letter on my own?
Advice on what direction to go and how to proceed would be amazing!