What Is the FLSA and How Does It Protect You in Temple? 

When you go to work, you expect to be paid fairly for your time, effort, and dedication. But far too often, employers (and large corporations) cut corners and ignore the very laws designed to protect workers. One of the most commonly violated employment laws we see at Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP (SYT) is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). And when your rights are ignored, we believe it’s our job to make sure your employer is held accountable, not just for your sake, but so it doesn’t happen to someone else or become a recurring issue in the workplace. 

   

The FLSA is a federal law that sets the foundation for basic worker protections, including minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards. Enacted in 1938, the FLSA was designed to prevent exploitation and protect the dignity of hard-working Americans. While that mission is still critical today, the unfortunate reality is that many employers, in Temple and across Texas, continue to violate the FLSA, often assuming that employees won’t know their rights or won’t take action. 

   

At SYT, we’re here to change that. Our firm stands up for employees in Temple who’ve been shortchanged, overworked, and taken advantage of. If you suspect your FLSA rights were violated, we want to hear your story and help you get justice. 

 

Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 

The Fair Labor Standards Act was enacted during the Great Depression to combat unfair labor practices and establish minimum wage and working condition standards. Before the FLSA, employees, especially those in factories, mills, and agricultural jobs, were often forced to work long hours for very little pay, sometimes in unsafe environments. The law’s purpose was to establish a baseline level of protection for workers, ensuring that employers could not exploit them for profit. 

   

Today, the FLSA remains one of the most important federal employment laws in the United States. It sets the rules for how employees must be paid and treated, regardless of their industry or employer size. When an employer violates these standards, it’s not just a technicality; it’s a breach of your rights and your trust. 

   

At SYT, we take FLSA violations personally. We’ve seen how unfair pay practices can impact families, strain finances, and leave employees feeling powerless. Our goal is to restore balance by holding employers accountable and ensuring that workers in Temple and across Texas receive the pay and respect they’ve earned. 

 

Key Protections Under the FLSA 

The FLSA offers several fundamental protections designed to ensure fair treatment in the workplace. Understanding these rights is the first step toward recognizing when they’re being violated. 

   

1. Minimum Wage Protections 

The FLSA requires that most employees receive at least the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour. In Texas, this is also the standard. However, violations occur when employers pay less than this rate or manipulate hours and tips to avoid paying what’s owed. 

   

Signs your minimum wage rights may be violated include: 

• Your paycheck doesn’t reflect all the hours you’ve worked.   
• You’re asked to clock out but continue working. 
• You’re required to pay for uniforms or supplies that bring your pay below minimum wage. 
• You rely heavily on tips, but your employer fails to ensure your hourly rate (including tips) meets the minimum wage. 

   

Even a few dollars missing from each paycheck can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. At SYT, we believe every worker in Temple deserves every cent they earn, and we’re ready to help you fight for it. 

 

2. Overtime Pay 

The FLSA mandates that eligible employees receive overtime pay at time and a half for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single workweek. Unfortunately, employers often misclassify workers or manipulate records to avoid paying overtime. 

   

Common overtime violations include: 

• Labeling hourly employees as “salaried” to avoid overtime pay. 
• Expecting employees to work “off the clock.” 
• Splitting paychecks between weeks to conceal overtime hours. 
• Offering “comp time” instead of overtime pay (which is illegal in most private sector jobs). 

   

Temple’s workforce includes industries where long hours are standard, such as healthcare, manufacturing, food service, and construction. These are also the same industries where overtime violations frequently occur. At SYT, we meticulously review pay records and schedules to uncover hidden or disguised wage theft. When your employer cuts corners, we make sure they’re held accountable. 

 

3. Recordkeeping Requirements 

Under the FLSA, employers must also maintain accurate records of employees’ wages, hours worked, and other conditions of employment. When records are missing or inaccurate, it often indicates deeper issues, sometimes deliberate attempts to conceal violations. 

   

Warning signs of recordkeeping violations include: 

• Pay stubs that don’t show total hours worked. 
• No written record of your work schedule. 
• Sudden changes in how hours are tracked or reported. 

   

At SYT, we know how to investigate these discrepancies. We gather documentation, witness statements, and digital evidence to reconstruct your true work history and ensure your case is built on solid ground. 

 

4. Child Labor Standards 

The FLSA also protects minors from exploitation by setting strict limits on the types of jobs they can perform and the hours they can work. These rules exist to ensure that young people can gain valuable work experience without sacrificing their safety, education, or well-being. 

   

Under federal law and Texas labor regulations, the rules for minors are clear: 

• Children under 14 years old generally cannot be employed in non-agricultural jobs, with limited exceptions such as working for a parent-owned business, delivering newspapers, or performing in entertainment. 
• Teens aged 14 and 15 may work limited hours in specific approved jobs, such as retail, food service, or office work, but they cannot work during school hours, and their hours are strictly limited. During the school year, they can work up to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; during summer or holidays, they can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. 
• Teens aged 16 and 17 can work longer hours and in more types of jobs. However, they are still prohibited from working in hazardous occupations, such as operating heavy machinery, roofing, demolition, or certain types of construction work. 
• Once an individual turns 18, they are no longer subject to these child labor restrictions. 

   

Unfortunately, violations of these laws still occur in Temple and throughout Texas, especially in the fast-food, retail, agricultural, and construction industries. Employers may pressure young workers to stay late, perform unsafe tasks, or work without proper breaks. These practices not only violate the law but can put minors at serious risk of injury or exploitation. 

   

At SYT, we take these cases extremely seriously. We know that young workers and their parents often hesitate to speak up, either because they fear losing their jobs or because they’re unsure of the rules. Our attorneys help families understand their rights and hold employers accountable for violating child labor standards. Protecting the next generation of workers is not just part of our mission; it’s part of our commitment to making workplaces across Texas safer and fairer for everyone. 

 

Who Is Covered Under the FLSA? 

The FLSA applies to most employees in both the private and public sectors. Generally, it covers: 

   

• Employees working for companies engaged in interstate commerce (which includes most businesses today). 
• Workers in hospitals, schools, and government agencies. 
• Domestic workers such as caregivers, nannies, and housekeepers (in many cases). 

   

However, there are exceptions for certain “exempt” employees, such as executives, administrative professionals, and certain independent contractors. Unfortunately, employers sometimes misclassify employees as exempt or as independent contractors to avoid paying overtime or benefits.   

   

If you’ve been told you’re not eligible for overtime but you’re unsure why, it’s worth having your situation reviewed. Our attorneys at SYT can evaluate your job duties, pay structure, and classification to determine whether your employer is following the law when you start an online case review. 

 

Common FLSA Violations in Temple, Texas 

Temple is a vibrant and growing city in Central Texas, home to industries that power both the local and state economy. But with growth comes increased opportunities for wage-and-hour violations, particularly in sectors that rely on hourly or shift workers. At SYT, we have handled various FLSA violation claims, and we have noticed some common industries that often have violations, including: 

   

Healthcare and Hospitals 

Temple’s robust healthcare sector, including major hospitals and clinics, employs thousands of nurses, technicians, and support staff. We often see unpaid overtime and off-the-clock work violations here, especially when healthcare workers are pressured to complete patient care tasks before or after their shifts without proper pay. 

   

Manufacturing and Warehousing 

Temple’s industrial and manufacturing facilities are essential to Texas’ economy. However, employers sometimes fail to record all hours worked, ignore overtime laws, or improperly classify workers as exempt. Fatigue and long hours often make it difficult for workers to recognize these violations until months or years later. 

   

Food Service and Hospitality 

Restaurants and hotels in Temple frequently rely on tipped employees, who are particularly vulnerable to wage theft. Employers might unlawfully pool tips, pay below the tipped minimum wage, or fail to ensure total pay meets the required hourly rate. 

   

Construction and Contracting 

In construction, misclassification is rampant. Employers may label workers as independent contractors when they should be employees, thereby dodging payroll taxes and overtime pay. At SYT, we know how to uncover these schemes and pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. 

 

Why FLSA Violations Happen 

FLSA violations don’t always stem from ignorance; in fact, many times, they’re deliberate. Large corporations often believe they can get away with cutting corners, assuming employees won’t notice or won’t take action. Workers may fear retaliation or job loss if they speak up. That’s where we come in. Our goal at SYT is to hold these employers, corporations, and institutions accountable for their actions. We want to help those who are being mistreated get the compensation they not only deserve but are owed. 

   

We’ve built our reputation on taking bold, complex, and challenging cases. The kinds of cases other firms might turn away. When employers exploit workers in Temple, we step in to even the playing field. Our attorneys combine deep knowledge of employment law with hands-on experience, ensuring your case receives the meticulous attention it deserves. 

 

How SYT Can Help Protect Your Rights 

If you believe your employer has violated the FLSA, taking action can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We help employees across Temple and throughout Texas pursue justice for wage-and-hour violations. When you reach out to us and initiate your free case review, we take the time to understand your situation, explain your rights, and outline a plan tailored to your case. Here’s what we do to protect your interests: 

   

Thorough Investigation 

We gather evidence such as pay stubs, time records, emails, and witness statements to build a complete picture of your work history and pay structure. Our team digs deep to expose patterns of misconduct and strengthen your claim. 

   

Legal Strategy and Advocacy 

Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators who know how to handle even the toughest employers. Whether we’re pursuing back pay, liquidated damages, or penalties, we fight tirelessly to ensure you’re made whole. 

   

Personalized Representation 

At SYT, we never take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every case is unique, and we tailor our strategies to your specific circumstances and goals. We pride ourselves on being responsive, accessible, and compassionate, because we know this process can be stressful. 

 

Taking the First Step: Your Free Case Review 

If you live or work in Temple and believe your FLSA rights have been violated, the first step is reaching out for a free case review. During this review, our attorneys will assess whether your employer has failed to comply with the FLSA and explain what remedies may be available to you. 

   

You’ve worked hard for your paycheck. You’ve earned your time and your wages. Don’t let an employer take that away from you. At Scanes Yelverton Talbert, LLP, we’re not afraid to take on powerful companies and demand accountability. 

   

To start your free case review, fill out our online employment claims case review form today. Together, we can help ensure that your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and your employer is held responsible.