Houston Employment Law Blog
Which industries have significant gender pay gaps in Texas?
While it is illegal to pay employees different wages based on their gender, we are still far from pay equity. The Dallas Business Journal has examined the pay disparity between women and men in Texas, and found that some industries have a significantly greater pay gap...
When can I begin accessing my ERISA benefits?
The Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, commonly known as ERISA, provides federal guidelines for retirement and health plans to protect employees in private industries. Millions of Houston’s workers pay into their ERISA benefits every week. When they...
DOL clarifies overtime exemptions
Most workers in Texas and around the country are entitled to overtime pay when they are on duty for more than 40 hours during a workweek. Overtime rules were established by the Fair Labor Standards Act and are administered by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour...
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...
