Back pay is a term that is commonly used in the workplace. It is a payment made to an employee for work that was done in the past but was not paid for at the time. This article will explore the definition and meaning of back pay, its origin, as well as its synonyms and antonyms.
Definitions
Back pay is defined as a payment made to an employee for work that was done in the past but was not paid for at the time. This payment is usually made when an employer is found to have violated a labor law or when there has been a dispute over wages or hours worked.
Origin
The concept of back pay has been around for centuries. It is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom during the 18th century when workers began to demand payment for hours worked beyond their normal working hours. The concept of back pay was then adopted by other countries, including the United States.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, back pay is defined as “payment of wages due to an employee for work done in a prior period.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines back pay as “payment of wages that should have been paid earlier but were not.”
Associations
Back pay is often associated with labor disputes and legal proceedings. It is also associated with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which regulates wages and hours worked for employees in the United States.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of back pay include retroactive pay, arrears, and unpaid wages.
Antonyms
The antonyms of back pay include current pay, regular pay, and future pay.
The same root words
The same root words for back pay include retroactive, retro, and pay.
Example Sentences
- The employees were awarded back pay for the hours they worked but were not paid for.
- The company was ordered to pay back pay to the workers who were not compensated for their overtime.
- The union negotiated a settlement that included back pay for the workers who were laid off.
- The court ordered the employer to pay back pay and damages to the employee who was wrongfully terminated.
- The company agreed to pay back pay to the employees who were underpaid for their work.