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What are some problems caused by workers not checking their pay statements in Texas?

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Odessa, TX – A worker’s paycheck or pay stub contains important information about their total hours worked, pay rate, deductions, and taxes. Other additional types of info may also be included depending on the specific employer in question and the worker’s status. However, many workers never bother to review these documents due to the convenience of direct deposit and other automated forms of pay. These programs are prone to computer software errors and other problems that can cause wages to be lost if they are not checked regularly. Some unsavory employers may even be counting on the fact that workers will not look at their statements to engage in wage theft. 

Issues when there are no physical copies of pay statements

When a worker only receives some kind of digital copy or a computer program that allows them to check their pay, this may be better for the environment because of less paper but it often causes other issues. Workers could miss an entire paycheck and not even notice if they are not in the habit of checking their pay statements regularly. 

Access and security issues

Workers will often have the task of logging into a computer system with some kind of username and password. There are technical issues created by this method of issuing pay statements, and some companies may even need to hire additional personnel with information technology backgrounds to manage these systems. If a worker temporarily loses access or forgets their password, they may not end up seeing or checking their pay for an extended period of time. 

Illegal deductions

All workers have to deal with issues related to tax, social security, and any legitimate benefits that come out of their pay. However, some employers illegally deduct work expenses and other items from a paycheck. If the employee is not careful and regularly checking their statements, these deductions can go unnoticed for long periods of time. 

Remedies for improper pay and deductions

When a worker has not been paid properly, they can take legal action to try to correct the situation. A lawsuit for unpaid wages and wage theft will often result in the back pay being issued to the worker, along with interest late payment. The workplace may be liable for various fines or damages if they are investigated and found to be engaged in any kind of foul play. 

Employment law firms in Odessa

Moore and Associates is an experienced group of labor law attorneys who assist workers in the Odessa area. Consulting with the firm is the best way for individuals who are having problems with their employer to decide if a lawsuit or other actions are necessary. 

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net

What kinds of administrative errors may cause unpaid wages in Texas?

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Houston, TX – Some workers may have to deal with unpaid wage issues even if their employer is not intentionally trying to underpay them. There are various administrative problems such as issues with payroll software or incorrect entry of hours that can result in a worker not being paid their proper salary. The employer needs to remedy these problems as soon as they are aware of the issue, otherwise the worker can take legal action. 

Improper deductions from a paycheck

All workers should review their pay stubs to ensure that all deductions appear to be necessary and legitimate. It is possible that the payroll department is illegally deducting too much money for tax, or making other deductions that do not belong on the pay statement at all. While this may be a simple error in the company’s payroll software, it should still be corrected to ensure proper pay. 

Computer problems

Most companies use some kind of automated system to handle all of their payroll applications. While this can be an efficient way to save time, computer programs are subject to various kinds of glitches and errors. These problems can happen suddenly even if a worker has been paid correctly for a long time, so it is important for employees to review all of their pay statements. 

Cash flow issues

There are times when a business is struggling and they simply may not have enough money to give all of their workers their proper pay. However, writing a check that cannot be cashed is technically illegal, and the business can face various forms of serious consequences for doing so. If a worker is not being paid because of a failing business, they should first discuss the problem with their employer immediately, then report the problem to a local labor board or commission and speak with an attorney if necessary. 

The law and unpaid wage claims

There are various federal and state laws that require proper payment of workers. Even if there is an administrative error or honest mistake, the employer still needs to correct the problem as soon as possible after it is reported or found. If this is not done in a timely manner, the workplace may be investigated for wage theft issues or the affected worker can retain a lawyer and file a case to be paid their back wages plus interest and damages. Various labor boards that handle wage theft issues can also issue fines or even criminal charges if the problem is serious enough. 

Consulting with a labor attorney in the Houston area

Moore and Associates is a firm that helps people in Texas resolve their workplace issues. Anyone who is dealing with a situation that may possibly be wage theft can contact the firm to get more information about receiving proper pay. 

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net

What information should be listed on a worker’s paycheck in Odessa?

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Odessa, TX – While all workers lose some money due to things such as taxes and social security, it is also possible that the employer is making improper or illegal deductions. Any workers who have suspicions about improper deductions should review their pay statements for possible errors or unethical practices by their employer. If the company does not correct these issues, it may be necessary for the person to get legal help or report the issue to a local labor board. 

A review of items that are supposed to be included on all pay statements can help clear up these issues before further action is needed. 

The pay rate

The check should display the workers hourly pay rate multiplied by their total number of hours for their gross pay for the period. 

All workers need to be paid at least at the state’s minimum wage, and work in excess of forty hours should be paid at an overtime rate. It is illegal for any workplace to violate minimum wage and overtime laws, and they may need to give the worker back pay plus interest if they are investigated or sued for wage law violations. In some cases, salaried workers may simply have a total amount that is due to the worker for the week or pay period in question. 

Taxation

All paychecks will lose a certain amount to federal taxes and state taxes if applicable. Companies will allow workers to fill out a W2 or similar documentation if they want a certain amount withheld due to their tax filing status, which can change based on the person’s marital status, whether they have any children or dependents, and other factors. Social security deductions are also necessary on all checks.

The net pay rate

This is the worker’s final take home pay rate after all of the deductions are subtracted out. It is common for workers to lose twenty percent or more of what they earn to taxes and deductions. Some workers may lose even more if they are subject to court orders for things such as child support or wage garnishment. 

Action for unpaid wages or illegal deductions

All American workers are entitled to see records related to the total amount of hours they worked, their pay and deductions, and ask for mistakes to be corrected. If the employer does not seem to be cooperative or is acting evasively, the state workforce commission can get involved or the person can get their own attorney and file a case for wage theft against their employer. 

Labor attorneys

Moore and Associates handles labor and employment law cases in Odessa, Texas. The firm’s attorneys focus on unpaid wages and wage theft, discriminations, harassment, and various other problems in the workplace. 

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net

What forms of wage theft prevention exist to help workers in Texas?

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Houston, TX – Many workers will experience some kind of improper pay or wage theft throughout the course of their career. Because this has become such a common problem, many pieces of legislation have been passed and various efforts have been made to educate employers and prevent them from exploiting their workers through improper pay. 

How wage theft happens

Some wage theft is an honest mistake that occurs due to improper deductions, administrative errors, or payroll system problems. In these cases, the worker can normally bring the issue to their employer’s attention and have it resolved. In other situations, the employer may be deliberately trying to steal from workers in order to save money. This is often more difficult to detect, as the employer is depending on things such as underpaying workers, having them do unpaid work, or misclassifying them as part of their business model. Outside intervention may be necessary if the employer is unwilling to cooperate with workers who report missing wages. 

Wage theft prevention measures

When the Fair Labor Standards Act took effect, it detailed procedures for following minimum wage laws, overtime, and other related matters that directly affect a worker’s pay.  Another later law called the Wage Theft Prevention Act criminalized certain behaviors when an employer purposely withholds proper pay from workers. The law also requires employees who have had their wages stolen to receive restitution and their employer will face financial penalties. Together, these federal laws and others give workers a course of action to follow when they deal with wage theft issues. There are also various state and federal employment boards and commissions that investigate employers after a complaint about issues such as illegal wage withholding and discrimination. 

The federal Department of Labor is also given authority by the FLSA and other laws to enforce its provisions against workplaces that violate various labor standards. 

Lawsuits against employers

If a worker does not receive help from their employer with these kinds of issues, attorneys who practice in the field of labor law can bring a civil case against the company responsible. Like in many other civil lawsuits, the defendant can be responsible for paying damages to the victim. In the case of wage issues, the remedy is usually all of the worker’s missing back pay, plus interest on outstanding wages. 

Attorneys who handle unpaid wage claims and related issues

Moore and Associates is a firm that handles employment law cases in the state of Texas. Anyone who is dealing with unpaid wages, wage theft, discrimination, or sexual harassment can get in touch with the firm to explore their options and learn about filing a lawsuit. 

Firm contact info:

Moore & Associates

440 Louisiana Street, Suite 675, Houston, TX 77002

713-222-6775

www.mooreandassociates.net