My clients have many questions about unpaid wages and overtime pay in Texas.  The purpose of this article is to answer some of the most common ones that my clients have regarding wage claims in Texas. I have grouped some of the more similar questions together so they can be answered at the same time.  

What is the law on overtime pay in Texas?  

What happens if a job doesn’t pay you in Texas?  

Is it illegal if a job doesn’t pay you in Texas?  

Unlike many states, Texas does not have its own minimum wage and overtime law.  So employers in Texas must follow the federal law on minimum wages and overtime, which is known as the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA.  Under the FLSA, the minimum wage rate is $7.25/hour.  The FLSA also requires most employees to be paid one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for each hour they work above forty in a week.  It is illegal for an employer in Texas to not pay you wages under the requirements of the FLSA.  If an employer in Texas violates these requirements, it can be liable for the unpaid wages as well as an equal amount in additional damages, which are known as liquidated damages.  In Texas, an employee only has two years to file an unpaid wage claim under this federal law. 

Can I sue for unpaid wages in Texas?  

How do I claim unpaid wages in Texas?  

How do I collect unpaid wages in Texas?  

Can I claim compensation for unpaid wages in Texas?  

How do I file an overtime complaint in Texas?  

There are several ways employees owed unpaid wages can recover them in Texas.  Employees can file a claim for unpaid wages with the Texas Workforce Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.  You can visit the TWC or DOL websites for more information on how to file a complaint with these agencies.  This article focuses on how employees can sue for unpaid wages in Texas.  To do so, you can hire an attorney who can file a complaint in federal court under the FLSA.  In some cases, other employees who have also been denied their wages under the same company policy can join the lawsuit in what is known as a collective action. 

Who do I contact if my employer doesn’t pay me in Texas?  

How do I report an employer for not paying overtime in Texas?  

If you believe you are owed unpaid wages in Texas, you should contact an experienced unpaid wage attorney to learn of your legal rights and possible remedies.  Speak with an experienced unpaid wage attorney as soon as possible, as your time to pursue such a claim is limited.  

About the author: Josh Borsellino is a Texas unpaid wage attorney that represents workers on claims for unpaid overtime and other lost wages.  He has recovered unpaid wages for hundreds of workers over the past decade.  For a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation, call Josh Borsellino at 817.908.9861 or email him through this link today.