Houston Dancer Wage Theft Attorney

Our experienced lawyers are committed to aggressively advocating for their clients. Strip club owners and employers have been disregarding the respect and rights entitled to their employees under State and Federal labor laws. There have been many cases of employers misclassifying workers as “independent contractors” in order to cut employee wage and benefits .

These benefits include minimum wage under federal law protecting workers, insurance/health coverage, sick days, and overtime. Dancers are entitled to insurance and worker compensation coverage just like any other standard employee.

Sick days and monetary compensation for overtime are also due for standard employees. Strip club employers and owners also often misrepresent the dancers working under them in order to avoid certain employer taxes.

Recently filed lawsuits accuse Strip Clubs of being in violation of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, due to illegal forced tip-sharing and the practice of charging their dancers a fee to perform for the night.

Employees are not required to pay a fee in order to work for the night at these clubs. Not only have they often refused to pay even minimum wage, they allegedly charged the dancers extra fees just to perform for the night. As per federal law, an employee must receive minimum wage, but many employers use illegal tactics in order to cut their costs.

The Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; in many states the minimum wage is much higher. In the state of Texas, the minimum wage is 7.25. In California, there have been some clubs that pay minimum wage, but still require dancers to “tip out” or share tips with other employees, like the doorman, bus boys, and DJs. In some states where it’s allowed, club management has classified dancers as “tipped employees” and pay dancers $2.13 per hour (like a waiter or waitress). Charging workers for the privilege of working is illegal.

Clubs charge as much as $200.00 per shift to dancers as “house fees”—earning hundreds per night on each dancer who shows up to work, regardless of whether or not that dancer actually earns any money. Independent contractor misclassification is wide-spread and it is illegal. If you have been mistreated by your employer ; you are entitled to get any and all dance fees, late fees, and fines you paid to any club paid back to you.

When an employer is found to have violated wage laws, that employer may be required to pay back what it illegally withheld from the employee.

We’re angered that clubs and club owners have been getting away with such criminal acts for such a long period of time. Now is the time to make a difference and educate dancers about the unjust tactics used by clubs.

Independent contractor misclassification is wide-spread and it is illegal. Numerous Courts have found under both Federal and State Law that dancers are to be considered employees, not “independent contractors.” If a club employer displays control over the dancers, including how long a shift is to be it means that they acknowledge their dancers as employees of the club. If the dancers are assigned to shifts, they should be considered employees as is the legal standard.

Exotic dancers often have to follow the rules of the club, work when the club says to work, and often comply with the Club’s strict appearance and dress codes. This is all standard for employees at other establishments. However, at all times, the Club has absolute control over the dance fees you can charge and can terminate a dancer without notice – all the while taking your tips in the form of “fees” and “tip-outs” to floor men and managers. is illegal under State and Federal law.

Dancers are considered legally entitled to :

• Minimum wage
• Overtime
• Sick days
• Health care

Exotic dancers have to follow the rules of the club the same way  an employee would have to. Employees would work when the club says to work, and follow the conduct expected of them. In turn they should receive the protections and an employee is benefit to.

Numerous Courts have found under both Federal and State Law that dancers should be classified as employees not “independent contractors.” However it seems at all times, the Club has absolute control over the dance fees charged and can terminate a dancer without notice – all the while taking tips in the form of “fees” and “tip-outs” to floor men and managers. Any fine or fee required to be paid as a condition of employment is illegal.

Confidential & Secure

Privately submit your case information. Our team of legal experts will be in touch to schedule a time to discuss your case more in detail.