Texas Department of Labor

The Texas  Department of Labor is in place in order to uphold the laws in the State, as well as federal laws which apply to workers in that State. The laws are meant to protect the rights and benefits associated with being employed by an employer in that State.

The Texas Department of Labor will, for example, answer complaints from employees that claim that their employer does not give them access to legally-required breaks. Employees must be provided fifteen minute breaks after a certain number of hours worked, as well as a half hour break after a certain number of hours worked.

In most cases, employers do not have to pay employees for those breaks, but they must allow them to take the breaks. When it is suspected that an employer has prevented employees from taking breaks, the Texas Department of Labor will conduct an investigation. They may first examine time cards to see if employees clocked out for their required breaks. However, employers sometimes have employees clock out without actually taking their break.

The Texas Department of Labor will would conduct interviews with employees to be certain that they know their rights and that those rights have not been violated. If, for example, an employee is asked to work through their break, the employer is in violation of the employee's rights.  

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