Office of the Commissioner Representing Labor

Payday Law, Child Labor & Texas Minimum Wage Law

An employee who thinks he or she has not been paid all wages earned may file a complaint with TWC’s Wage and Hour Department. The Wage and Hour Department can answer questions about the laws governing wage payments to employees, restricted work rules for children and information on the Texas Minimum Wage Act; call 800-832-9243.

• Learn about employee rights & laws

Unemployment Benefit Issues

Unemployment Contact Information:

If you need to speak with an unemployment specialist contact check the listing of contact information to see who would be best, at twc.texas.gov/contact-information or use the chat box on the lower right hand corner of the screen.

Appeals:

For information regarding the status of an appeal pending with the Appeal Tribunal, please email Appeal Status. For information regarding an appeal to the Commission, please email Commission Appeals. You can also visit the link below for more information about how to file an appeal and the appeals process.

Identity Theft and Fraudulent Claims:

For assistance and information regarding reporting identity theft issues related to unemployment claims, please visit the TWC Identity Theft Page.

Wage Issues

What should I do if my employer isn't paying me correctly?

If an employer does not pay all the wages owed to an employee in a timely manner, the employee can file a wage claim with TWC. More information about the wage claim process and an electronic copy of the wage claim form is available on TWC’s webpage. How to submit a wage claim. A wage claim must be filed within 180 days of when payment was due. You can contact TWC’s Wage and Hour Department at 800-832-9243 for further assistance.

You can also file a complaint with the Department of Labor

A complaint can also be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division (DOL). A complaint with DOL differs from a wage claim filed with TWC in that it covers more time – up to two years – and all complaints are kept confidential, so the employer would not know you had filed the complaint. In addition, DOL has the authority to investigate the employer’s entire payroll procedures for all employees, while a wage claim with TWC covers only the individual who files the wage claim. The DOL Wage & Hour Division can provide you with information as to what sorts of claims or complaints they accept and how their process works. They can be contacted at 866-487-9243. They also have a webpage with information that might be helpful.

Contact an attorney for assistance at the Texas State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

You can also contact an attorney to pursue other legal recourse. If you need help finding an attorney, you can contact the State Bar of Texas’ Lawyer Referral & Information Service at 800-252-9690.

Who should I contact if I do not receive a W-2?

If an employer failed to provide you with a W-2, you can contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040 or get more information from the IRS webpage.

Workplace Issues

Is my employer required to give me breaks?

Currently, in most situations, Texas law does not require employers to give employees break times.

Where can I report workplace safety concerns?

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit the OSHA website or call 800-321-6742.

Who can I contact if I am injured at work?

You may contact the Office of Injured Employee Counsel at 866-393-6432 or visit the OIEC website.

Where can I report workplace harassment and discrimination?

If you believe that you may have been the victim of discrimination or harassment, you can contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by calling 800-669-4000 or the TWC's Civil Rights Division by calling 888-452-4778 to further discuss your issues. All complaints are filed online.