McAllen area bar was found liable for wage law violations against several employees

McAllen, TX – Wage theft can come in many forms, and sometimes it is not simply a matter of missing hours from the person’s pay statement. Those who receive tips, commissions, overtime, and independent contractors may all be paid differently from standard hourly employees, but there are still rules that need to be followed. Any employer who does not follow the relevant wage and labor laws may be sued, and they can be forced to compensate their workers at the proper rate and pay any outstanding wages. There can also be additional penalties such as interest on late wages or liquidated damages if an employment contract was violated. Workers who have additional questions should contact an attorney and retain copies of their records to ensure that they are being paid correctly.

Issues related to improper pay and wage theft make the news in Texas regularly, and they can cost large amounts for companies if these violations are widespread or not checked for extended periods of time. Any business that has employees should get professional advice to ensure that their employees are categorized properly.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a Texas bar is going to owe approximately $250,000 to unpaid workers following a federal investigation [1].

Bar tried to only give employees tips without other wages

The establishment in question is known as the Oak Texas Bar, and it is located in McAllen. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, involved several workers who were given tips alone, but no additional hourly wage which is illegal under Texas law. According to the report, these thirty six workers should have been given at least $2.13 per hour in addition to their tips to satisfy the relevant wage laws. When the wage records were checked, problems were also discovered with wait staff and cooks not being paid overtime as required.

A spokesperson from the Department of Labor released a statement saying that all employers who want a tip credit must check to see that tipped workers are taking home at least the federal minimum wage, and that other relevant wage regulations are followed. These kinds of mistakes can be very costly for businesses, even if they are unintentional. The total bill that Oak Texas Bar will owe to their workers for the outstanding pay is just over a quarter of one million dollars.

Employment attorneys are available

Moore and Associates is a labor law practice that works with local clients throughout Texas. Their lawyers focus on unpaid wages, overtime law, discrimination cases, and sexual harassment.

USAttorneys.com is available to help anyone who is looking for a lawyer. They can provide a referral to those who call 800-672-3103 for assistance.

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net

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