That's the other game a lot of employers play, they'll classify you as a 1099 to avoid those pesky worker rights.

You have no other options because you need the money.

My friend who wasn't paid at all was told by a lawyer it wasn't worth pursuing.

So much of our legal system, and really society is based off gentlemen agreements. You don't still someone out of 600$ in wages because you don't do that.

When that gentlemen agreement is broken, realistically no lawyer is going to open a case over 600$, you have no real recourse.

I hope i dont have to find out, but it seems like anything in the US that requires lawyers would by default be an expensive option to pursue (from my lack of knowledge standing, at least, feels like that)