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How the $684 Rule Shapes Your Paycheck in TexasKey Takeaways: In 2026, the federal FLSA still uses a $684 weekly salary level as just one part of the test for who is exempt from overtime, alongside the salary basis test and your actual job duties....

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Does Holiday Pay Affect Your Overtime in Texas?Key Takeaways: Holiday pay does not count as "hours worked" when calculating overtime under the FLSA, which controls in Texas. Only actual hours worked push you past the 40-hour overtime threshold. Texas has no standalone overtime statute for...

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The Truth Behind a 1099 Label and Your Right to Overtime PayKey Takeaways: A signed 1099 agreement cannot block your overtime rights in Texas if you are actually an employee under the FLSA, because federal law examines how you actually work, not the form you...

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Key Takeaways: Being paid on a 1099 does not automatically make you an independent contractor. Texas law examines the actual working relationship, not the label on your paycheck. If your employer controls how, when, and where you work, you may be a misclassified employee entitled...

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When a 1099 Worker May Claim More Overtime in TexasKey Takeaways: Texas workers paid on a 1099 may still be entitled to overtime if they were actually employees rather than independent contractors. Unpaid overtime claims typically reach back 2 years, but may extend to 3...

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When Is Checking Email After Hours Considered Working in Illinois?Key Takeaways: If you are a non-exempt employee in Illinois and your employer knows you check work email after hours, that time may be compensable under both federal and state law. Illinois adopts the FLSA's "suffer...

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Key Takeaways: Workers labeled as independent contractors may still qualify for overtime if misclassified under federal law. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) uses an economic reality test to determine worker status. Recent regulatory changes have created uncertainty, but misclassified workers retain legal options. Understanding...

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Key Takeaways: Day rate workers covered by the FLSA may be entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Your employer must convert your daily flat rate into an hourly regular rate and pay at least 1.5 times that rate for...

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No, a 1099 label or classification alone does not make you an independent contractor under Texas or federal law. Many workers across construction, delivery, home health care, oil and gas, and other industries receive a 1099-NEC at tax time and assume that settles the question....

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If you spend time after your shift cleaning equipment, removing protective gear, or sanitizing your workstation, you may be entitled to compensation under federal and Texas law. Many workers across manufacturing, warehousing, healthcare, and hospitality assume post-shift cleanup is unpaid work they must absorb. However,...

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