Blog | Unpaid Wages & Overtime Law Blog

What Is the Continuous Workday Rule Under the FLSA?

When Your Paid Time Starts, and Why It Matters More Than You ThinkKey Takeaways: The continuous workday rule under the FLSA means your paid workday generally begins with your first "principal activity" and continues until your last one, including walking and waiting in between. Pre-shift...

| October 1, 2026

Does the $107,432 Highly Compensated Exemption Apply to Texas Oilfield Workers?

Big Paychecks Do Not Automatically Cancel Your Right to OvertimeKey Takeaways: The $107,432 highly compensated employee (HCE) exemption rarely applies to Texas oilfield workers because high pay alone generally does not eliminate overtime rights under the FLSA. To qualify, an employer must generally show total...

| September 28, 2026

How to Calculate California Overtime When a Bonus Is Paid the Same Week

Why a Same-Week Bonus Changes Your Overtime MathKey Takeaways: In California, overtime is based on your "regular rate of pay," which must include non-discretionary bonuses rather than just your base hourly wage. When you earn a performance or production bonus in the same week you...

| September 24, 2026

What Is a Belo Plan and How Does It Affect Texas Overtime Pay?

Guaranteed Weekly Pay Plans and Your Right to Overtime in Texas Key Takeaways: A Belo plan is a federal Fair Labor Standards Act pay arrangement guaranteeing a fixed weekly salary containing straight time for the first 40 hours plus built-in overtime pay. It is valid...

| September 14, 2026

Are Factory Workers Owed a 60-Minute Meal Break for Long Shifts in New York?

Understanding Meal Break Rights for Factory Workers in New YorkKey Takeaways: Factory workers in New York are owed a full 60-minute midday meal break under Labor Law Section 162, more protection than the 30-minute break most other workers receive. Long shifts and overnight schedules can...

| September 10, 2026

Willful Nonpayment Under Texas Wage Law

How Texas Cracks Down on Employers Who Refuse to Pay WagesKey Takeaways: Texas law treats willful wage nonpayment as a serious offense. Bad-faith withholding triggers penalties and interest under state law, while federal Fair Labor Standards Act claims may allow liquidated damages that double the...

| September 7, 2026

How Colorado’s 2026 Wage Claim Expansion Helps Misclassified Workers

Colorado's 2026 Wage Claim Expansion Opens New Doors for 1099 Overtime Recovery Key Takeaways: Colorado has strengthened its wage enforcement tools for 2026, giving workers labeled as independent contractors clearer paths to recover unpaid pay. Misclassified 1099 workers may be owed back wages, and federal...

| September 4, 2026

Should Texas Pipeline Inspectors Paid a Day Rate Receive Overtime?

Day Rate Pay and Your Right to Overtime in TexasKey Takeaways: Texas pipeline inspectors paid a flat day rate can still be owed overtime under federal law, which protects non-exempt employees regardless of payment method. A generous day rate does not "cover" long hours, and...

| September 1, 2026

How the 2026 Federal Contractor Rule Could Affect Texas 1099 Workers

Do 1099 Employees Get Overtime Under The New 2026 Federal Contractor Rule?Key Takeaways: A new federal proposal announced in early 2026 could reshape how Texas workers are classified and whether they qualify for overtime. Many people labeled as "independent contractors" are actually employees under wage...

| August 27, 2026

Is a Salary Alone Enough to Deny Overtime Pay in Texas?

The Truth About Salaries and Overtime in TexasKey Takeaways: A salary alone does not deny you overtime pay in Texas, because eligibility depends on your actual job duties and true rate of pay rather than the "salary" label. Overtime rules come from the federal Fair...

| August 24, 2026