Houston Employment Law Blog
Certain workers are vulnerable to overtime/wage law violations
Texas workers have the right to expect to receive the pay they are legally entitled to for doing their jobs. However, some workers are deprived of their full wages by employers. They might not be fully aware of what is happening or are afraid to speak up due to...
What happens when a worker is owed back pay?
Some Texas employees believe they are entitled compensation for work that they have already completed. Sometimes, employers fail to pay the proper wages to their workers who may be struggling to pay bills or care for loved ones. Back pay is payment for work that has...
ERISA provides protection for employee benefits
Workers in Houston often rely on their employer-provided benefits, including their health insurance and retirement plans, for many of the most important aspects of life. However, some plan administrators and companies may make damaging decisions that deny benefits or...
How gender can dictate a paycheck
Some female employees in Texas may discover that their employers pay their male counterparts more for the same positions. While some reasons for the difference in pay scale may be justified, others are not. A recent court case involved a female teacher who sued her...
An overview of time clock rules
It is not uncommon for employers in Texas and throughout the country to use the "seven-minute rule" when it comes to how employee pay is calculated. Rounding up to the nearest 15-minute increment is done to make it easier for companies to complete payroll calculations...
Understanding pay discrimination and what is prohibited
Pay discrimination in Texas is illegal under state and federal laws. Unfortunately, it continues to be a problem in many workplaces. People who learn that they have been paid less than their coworkers for the same work might have grounds to file discrimination claims....
What happens when ERISA is violated?
Many Texans have benefits plans through their jobs that are covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This is a federal law that protects workers who work for private employers that offer health care coverage, pensions, retirement plans, or...
Rules that apply when working off the clock
As a general rule, it is illegal for workers to not be paid for their labor. At a minimum, employees must be paid for every hour they work. Additionally, they are entitled to receive overtime pay if they work over 40 hours in a given week. In some cases, employers are...
The gender equity gap is narrowing but it still persists
Unequal pay for women in the same jobs as men is more than unenlightened thinking. For some, working harder for less means coming up short on the mortgage, the heating bill or junior’s tuition. Choosing between groceries and doctor visits. A smaller nest egg with...
Knowing your rights when facing wage discrimination
Though the U.S. has made progress toward gender equality, the pay gap persists. In 2019, women earned 79 cents to every dollar that men earned. And women’s incomes plateau earlier than men’s do, exacerbating their economic disadvantage. You may have discovered that...
