Employee Benefits Texas Businesses Must Give Workers

By Elizabeth Cox


If you are a newcomer to the working world, you may not be sure what your rights are or what the business that hires you is required to provide. Some young people are under the mistaken impression that two weeks of vacation a year and plenty of sick days must be offered to them by law. This is not the case. When you take a job, you will probably know exactly what you will be paid, but may not understand what the federal government requires of employers. That is why it is so important to be familiar with employee benefits Texas, for example, must provide.

Minimum wage is the least a business can pay a worker by law unless the person receives tips or other compensation. Many states have higher minimums, but they cannot be lower. Independent contractors, such as salespeople, get commissions, and as such do not fall under the same rules.

Companies must contribute to your social security if you are a salaried or hourly worker. When you get your check each payday, you see how much money has been taken out as your social security percentage. Your employer matches that as long as you work for him or her. They pay half the required amount, and you pay the other half. How much money you get when you retire depends on the amount contributed during your working life.

Employers must pay unemployment insurance for as long as you are working with them. If your job is eliminated do to circumstances beyond your control, you have the right to be compensated for a certain length of time. There are several factors that determine how much money you will receive each pay period. Different states have guidelines they follow. If you are fired, you may not have the right to apply for unemployment.

Anyone who gets hurt doing a job should get worker's compensation. If you get sick because you have been exposed to toxic chemicals or other substances, you will also be compensated. Your doctor has the final say on when and how you can resume working. Until that time, the employer must continue to pay you a certain amount.

The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act requires employers to pay workers who are out of work due to health type issues. You have twelve weeks out of every year to use this benefit. If you find yourself in the position of having to take care of a seriously injured military family member, you will receive twenty-six weeks a year.

Small businesses are exempt from certain requirements like health insurance. The federal government has guidelines for businesses depending on how many people they employ. There are other benefits that almost all companies offer their employees. Most give their workers a certain amount of paid vacation, holiday, and sick days every year. How many days companies allow is up to them.

When you enter the workforce, you should have some idea what your employer must cover. Many companies offer special perks, such as extended vacations and bonuses, to entice workers they want to employ, but they are not required to do so.




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