When you came to America, you did so with the hope of creating a better life for you and your family. Working on a farm is one of the most common ways for migrants to make a living and get a good start in our country. You and other farmworkers in Texas need to...
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What is wage theft?
If you are a worker who receives minimum wage, every penny of your paycheck counts. Some workers are victims of wage theft. This occurs when your employer somehow pays you less than what the company actually owes you. This type of theft can happen when your...
Employees stuck at work during hurricane may receive pay
During the recent natural disaster of Hurricane Harvey, many workers were physically stuck at their work location, unable to leave. Whether their hours at work are compensable may depend on several factors. At a bakery in Houston, an overnight shift baker found...
How to know if you are entitled to overtime pay
To protect workers' rights, there are state and federal laws concerning overtime pay. In the state of Texas, employers have to pay overtime if employees work more than 40 hours a week. That means if an employee workers 12 hours one day, 10 hours the next, 12 hours the...
Can I pump milk at work?
If you are a mother in Texas who is breastfeeding, you may wonder what your rights are in this area. For example, can you take breaks to express milk? Where can you do so? In general, the answers are positive, and they apply for one year after the birth of the child....
How to file a wage claim in Texas
As an hourly employee in Texas, you have a right to minimum wage compensation at $7.25 per hour, the same amount as the federal minimum wage. The state does not, however, have its own overtime laws, which means that your employer must also adhere to overtime...
How employers illegally discriminate against immigrant workers
As an immigrant in Texas, you are a valuable member of the state. Texas has a large immigrant population that boosts the economy and contributes to the community. However, despite your value and hard work, some people may discriminate against you. You might...
Wage theft in Texas: 5 FAQs for construction workers, delivery drivers and others
Last week the Houston Chronicle reported on a new study by a liberal research organization that found workers in Texas lose more to wage theft than in any other state. In this post, we will answer five frequently asked questions about this long-standing problem of...
The harsh realities of the gig economy
Career and financial stability is something everyone strives for, but in this gig economy, few will actually achieve. You’ve been taught that hard work pays off and the workforce all about “climbing the ladder.” You must start at the bottom, pay your...