Walk It Through: The Short Paycheck
The federal rate, the last check by the next payday, and the justice court up to $20,000.
A line cook's first paycheck works out to less than the minimum wage for the hours on the time sheet.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One paycheck and one cook. The federal rate itself, overtime, and deductions from pay are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Wage claimA verified claim an employee not paid as the chapter requires files with the Texas Workforce Commission no later than the 180th day after the wages became due.
- Eviction suitThe suit in the justice court for the precinct where the property is, through which a landlord recovers a home. The court decides who has the right to actual possession, not who owns the title.
- Justice courtThe court that hears small claims, with original jurisdiction of civil matters where the amount in controversy is not more than $20,000, not counting interest, and of eviction cases.