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...
Year: 2020
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...
Produce workers describe appalling working conditions
Federal law generally requires employers in Texas and around the country to pay their employees at least $7.25 per hour, but many produce workers in the Rio Grande Valley are receiving less than half of this amount according to a local advocacy group. Texas Rio Grande...
How to pursue a wage and hour violation claim
Most workers in Texas and throughout the country are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA mandates that workers are paid a minimum wage and receive overtime pay when working more than 40 hours in a week. If an employer fails to abide by these rules, it...