Wage deductions need specific, signed, written authorization — before the deduction.
Under the Texas Payday Law, employers can only deduct from wages with prior written authorization from the worker — or where the deduction is required by law (taxes, court orders). A handbook policy is not authorization. A blanket onboarding form is sketchy. The authorization must be specific, signed, and predate the deduction. Most Texas wage-claim violations involve illegal deductions, not unpaid wages.
Wage Deduction Authorization
Routes every non-statutory wage deduction through pre-existing written authorization. Blocks deductions without documented authorization. Verifies deductions don't push pay below the FLSA minimum.
What those rules do when a deduction is attempted.
The hero card configuration: two Blocks (no authorization, below-minimum) and one Flag for audit-readiness.
When payroll attempts a non-statutory wage deduction (anything beyond taxes and court orders), Teambridge verifies signed written authorization on file. Without it, the deduction fails. "Cannot deduct: no signed authorization for this purpose."
Even with authorization, deductions cannot push the worker's pay below the FLSA minimum (other than statutory deductions). When a deduction would do so, the action fails.
For every authorized deduction, the signed authorization document is linked to the timesheet entry. If TWC audits, the documentation is one click away.
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Specific, signed, before — not after.
The Texas Payday Law's deduction rule (§ 61.018 + Rule 821.28) is one of the most strict-construction wage rules in any state. A handbook does not authorize. A blanket form may not be specific enough. The authorization must predate the deduction.
Authorization must be specific
Rule 821.28(b) requires written authorization to be 'as specific as possible as to the amount and purpose of the deduction.' A blanket clause in a handbook ('the company may deduct for any debts owed') is insufficient. The authorization should specify the type of deduction (loan repayment, equipment damage, overpayment recovery), the maximum amount, and the conditions under which it applies.
Must predate the deduction
Authorization signed after the deduction occurred is not a defense. The signature must precede the deduction event. This catches employers who try to retroactively paper over an unauthorized deduction.
Teambridge gates every deduction at the source.
The deduction rule is where most Texas employers create wage-claim exposure unintentionally. Teambridge handles the gate so the question is answered before the deduction happens.
Per-worker, per-deduction-type records.
Each worker has an authorization vault listing every signed authorization, the deduction type covered, and the document URL. Authorizations have effective-date and (optional) expiration metadata.
Real-time check against authorization.
When a deduction is requested in payroll (e.g., 'deduct $200 for damaged equipment'), Teambridge verifies a matching authorization exists. Without one, the deduction fails.
FLSA floor enforced even with authorization.
Even with valid authorization, the deduction is verified against the FLSA minimum. If the post-deduction pay would fall below $7.25/hr × hours worked, the deduction is blocked.
Documentation one click away.
Every deduction line on the worker's wage statement links to the underlying authorization document. If TWC audits, the documentation is immediately accessible.
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