<prompt> Human: I made a huge mistake, looking back now I wish I could go back in the past and tell myself not to make the decision that I made 2 years ago.I was a fresh civil engineering graduate who took the first job that came to him without thinking. The economy was still in the shits back then and the notion of even finding a job for me at that time made me ignore the crappy salary.My employer completely took advantage of my situation, and started me off at 16 an hour Jan 2012, working an average of 48 hours a week without overtime pay. After 12 months of asking for a raise, I finally got one to 20 an hour in January of 2013.By then I was a competent engineer. I worked overtime every week, learned many of the fundamental skills. I immediately began looking for work for 6 months, but nothing came up, I also missed a handful of interviews because my boss would not allow me to take work off. Unfortunately for me I had family issues at the time and I had to stay local, which made my job search in an already dry economy even more difficult.For the past two years, I payed off my student loans, debts, and now am now very financially secure 6 month emergency fund, no debt. For my yearly review I asked my boss to pay me 25 an hour. Which is lower-average pay for a new civil engineer in my area. He accepted, surprisingly, only to completely ignore my request and pretend we never had that conversation. It has now been 2 pay periods and I have not gotten a raise.Im quitting. I am becoming severely depressed, and angry as a result.An attorney friend of mine made me aware that I may be eligible to get those overtime hours paid up. He advised me to seek compensation, claiming that as an un-salaried worker I am entitled to receive overtime pay for any day where I spent more than 40 hours a week working. I have all of the documentation and proof available, including paychecks during periods where I was not working where he pays off my banked hours.To make matters worse, this is not counting all of the racialverbal abuse I dealt with in the office - but there is no way I can prove that, unfortunately.Can anyone help me out, I am ready to move on, I have money saved. Would it be a wise choice for me to seek payments for my unpaid over time hours? or should I just move on and forget about it. I want to see a lawyer, but I would like to make that last resort as it costs a lot of money.Any help would be greatly appreciated.tl;dr employer did not pay me overtime and I am looking for advice on whether seeking compensation is a good idea, or even feasible.  <response>: Its an interesting question based on your situation. Youre certainly entitled to that overtime pay. Based on everything youve said here anyway. The question is really if you should or not.I say its an interesting question because youre in such a negative place right now. Its going to be a drain on you emotionally if you take this to court. Hes going to fight it and Im guessing hell probably lie. He doesnt seem like an honest man. So then its going to be your word vs. his. Maybe some other employees will stand up and say they never got overtime pay either but maybe some others will say nothing for fear of losing their job. My minimal legal knowledge tells me that the whistle blowers protection act will also make that illegal but we know how well this guy follows laws. You say youre ready to move on now. What if you lose? Will this start the whole cycle of being angry, bitter, and depressed again? If you can truly move on and put it behind you it may be worth just moving on with your life.On the other hand if you fight this guy maybe hell be forced to pay overtime to other people. Im assuming if he wasnt paying you he isnt paying others. Maybe you should take him to court for the greater good, so to speak. Yes, it would be great if you won and got your money too but thats not the whole story here. I want to see a lawyer, but I would like to make that last resort as it costs a lot of money.Theyll consult with you for free. Get information before making your decision based on cost. You can probably sue for legal costs as well, but of course youll have to win. I immediately began looking for work for 6 months, but nothing came up, I also missed a handful of interviews because my boss would not allow me to take work off.Be careful with your anger and bitterness about your pay rate. Yeah it sucks your boss didnt let you take time off but if you cant find a job after six months of looking there may be an economic reason. If there just wasnt a strong market for civil engineers its not surprising if you got paid under the average market rate. It doesnt excuse the other things but I dont think he necessarily took advantage of your situation. He gave you a job when it was questionable that you could have found another one at that point. 