Workers in Houston who were not paid their overtime wages should review the relevant regulations

Houston, TX – Unpaid wages not only inconvenience workers, but this kind of behavior from an employer or a business is also illegal and can result in various types of legal action. One of the more common problems with wage disputes and improper payment is when the employer does not pay overtime as required by law. This additional pay is generally required for any worker who records more than 40 hours of labor per week, but there are some complexities present in overtime laws in the state of Texas that workers should review. 

Information from the Texas comptroller

The state government provides a summary of overtime law through the Office of Fiscal Management for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. 

The broad federal law that establishes most overtime regulations for workers is called the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which is sometimes abbreviated as the FLSA. Federal law governs issues related to overtime when there are both state and federal regulations on the same issue or a conflict between similar rules. 

Texas state law says that anyone working more than 40 hours per week must be compensated through either paid time off at 1.5 times their pay rate for every hour worked beyond 40 hours per week, or payment of 1.5 times the worker’s regular salary for each additional hour worked. Texas law caps the amount of time off that can be accumulated in lieu of payment at 240 hours in total. Employers are allowed to deduct paid time off or holidays from the forty hour total, because the worker has not been actively laboring during these times.  

Bonuses which are not included as normal pay and are discretionary do not affect these hour or wage totals. 

Learning more from a legal professional

Anyone who has not been given overtime pay for work beyond forty hours should check to see if they are exempt from these overtime rules based on certain regulations. Sometimes, an employee may either accidentally or intentionally categorize an employee’s status so that they do not have to pay overtime. While a worker does not need to understand all of these rules to take legal action, it is important for anyone who has not been paid properly to contact a lawyer who practices in this area of the law. 

Starting the formal process to take legal action

Individuals who are having workplace problems with unpaid overtime, harassment, or have not been treated properly for any reason may want to seek assistance from an attorney who can explain how employment laws apply to their specific situation. Moore and Associates is a labor and employment firm that is available to help workers in the Houston area with various related issues.  

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates 

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002 

713-222-6775 

www.mooreandassociates.net