Back pay after leaving job

[shoes]

I was employed at a University about in August, 1989 as a professional academic advisor with some teaching responsibilities. About 5 years ago, I realized that I was teaching for the University for free; teaching was not part of my job description or my contract. After further inquiry and discussion, I had teaching added to my responsibilities and reworked in my contract. However, I was never given any extra compensation/pay for teaching those first five years. I was told it was something that I shouldn't worry about...so I didn't. I left the University this past June and decided to pursue this issue again. I wrote the Vice President of Labor Relations at the University regarding back pay for teaching; she informed me that it was "understood" that teaching was part of my contract, even though it was not listed in either my job responsibilities or my contract (until 1995). I have copies of my initial job description/responsibilities and copies of my contracts from 1989.

I would like to know whether I have a legitimate claim and if so, what my next step should be. I'm not sure what type of lawyer I should seek to handle my situtation. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

You didn't mention whether the university did pay you after the contract was revised for any teaching you did from that time onward. If they did, then I would argue that such payment was a tacit admission of their legal responsibility to pay me for the back teaching time. However you should speak to an attorney about this. The type of attorney you are looking for is an employment law attorney. You can find one near you at attorneypages.

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Mark B. Replogle