Information on Commissions and Bonuses
One of the most common overtime myths is that receiving a bonus or commission for a big sale excludes an employee for being eligible for overtime pay, or that the bonus can be given in lieu of overtime pay. This is not necessarily true. Receiving a bonus does not make up for overtime pay. In many instances, an employer may try this maneuver to save themselves the money it would cost to pay their employee time and a half. If you believe your employer has been short-changing you on your overtime pay, contact a
Texas overtime lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.
Understanding Texas Employment Laws
At first glance, a bonus may seem like a better deal than getting time and a half. But this is not always the case. Additionally, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, there are instances when a holiday bonus should be included when determining the rate of pay that you will be getting overtime pay for, meaning, your holiday bonus may also be eligible for the overtime 1½ time pay rate.
Giving employees an extra large holiday bonus is one way employers try to subvert the FLSA and overtime law so that they do not have to pay as much in overtime. There are certain determinants that are used to decide if a bonus is exempt from inclusion in overtime pay or not. The size of the bonus, the motivation behind giving the bonus, and more, are taken into consideration.
Secure Rightful Wages with Our Texas Overtime Attorneys
Overtime law can be a confusing area of the law to get involved in and filing a claim against your employer may seem very scary and intimidating. At Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry we want you to remember that you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you have done. It is illegal for your employer to
retaliate against you in any way by firing you or reducing your hours.
Our firm is dedicated to helping the hard working employees of Houston and surrounding areas get the money that is rightfully theirs. With over 100 years of combined experience among our attorneys, we can bring our experience and knowledge to your case so that you can get the proper payment for a job well done.