A recent lawsuit alleges that a company failed to pay required overtime wages by misclassifying certain employees as salaried, raising questions about wage practices and employee rights under federal law. The complaint was filed by Amanda Jacks and Barbara Thomason in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on March 12, 2026, naming MineArc Systems America LLC and its owner James Rau as defendants.
According to the filing, both plaintiffs claim they were employed by MineArc Systems America LLC in roles that did not meet the legal requirements for exemption from overtime pay. The suit states that despite regularly working between fifty and sixty hours per week, neither Jacks nor Thomason received overtime compensation during their periods of salaried employment. The plaintiffs allege that this practice violates the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which mandates overtime pay for hours worked beyond forty per week unless an employee is properly classified as exempt.
The complaint outlines that Barbara Thomason worked for the company from November 1, 2021 until approximately August 18, 2023 as a Logistics Coordinator and Shipping Clerk before being moved into an hourly role. Her manager reportedly advised her to request an hourly classification due to her extensive work hours. Amanda Jacks held a similar position from June 26, 2023 through March 14, 2024. Both plaintiffs assert they did not have managerial responsibilities or independent decision-making authority that would qualify them for salary exemption under federal law.
The document cites an admission from Robert Anderson, described as a long-term senior employee at MineArc Systems America LLC: “Defendant designates employees as salaried if Defendant anticipates that they cannot complete all work assignments within a forty hour work week regardless of whether it is appropriate to salary designate the employee.” Plaintiffs argue this policy led to their improper classification and subsequent denial of overtime pay.
In their legal arguments, Jacks and Thomason state: “Defendant’s refusal to pay overtime is willful.” They contend that during their salaried periods they were regularly required to work more than forty hours per week without additional compensation. The complaint asserts: “Plaintiffs were improperly designated as salaried even though they did not meet the requirements to be considered exempt from minimum wage and overtime laws.” As a result, they are seeking damages for unpaid wages, penalties, liquidated damages, attorney fees, costs, expenses, and any other compensatory damages available under law.
The plaintiffs also request relief for emotional distress associated with the alleged wage violations. They ask for “damages for wages and emotional distress,” along with interest and any further relief deemed just by the court. A jury trial has been requested.
Legal representation for Amanda Jacks and Barbara Thomason is provided by Harman Green LLC. Attorneys listed on the filing include Ivan Richardson of Harman Green LLC with offices in New York City and Dallas. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 3:26-cv-00810-N.
Source: 326cv00810_Amanda_Jacks_v_MineArc_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Texas.pdf
