According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), companies can only deduct from an employees wages when the employee takes a break longer than 20 minutes. However, Alorica allegedly required its employees to go off the clock for every single break the employee took, even short restroom breaks that took just a few minutes. By the end of the employees pay period, these small time deductions would add up, ultimately translating to significant decreases in wages.

The worst part here is that many employees probably didnt realize that they may have been cheated out of lawful pay by Alorica, said attorney Allen Vaught, leader of Baron and Budds overtime wage violations section. As attorneys dedicated to protecting workers, we are working with Alorica employees to sort out these potential violations.

To learn more about these alleged Alorica overtime pay violations or to see if you may be impacted, contact Allen Vaught directly at 1.866.495.1255 or email avaught(at)baronbudd(dot)com. Your call to Baron and Budd is confidential and federal laws prohibit employers from retaliating against employees for seeking lawful pay.

The law firm of Baron and Budd has been defending the rights of consumers for nearly 35 years. Baron and Budd lawyer Allen Vaught has tackled on a number of major overtime wages cases in recent years, including a national lawsuit against SuperMedia for off-the-clock-related overtime pay violations.

About Baron & Budd

The law firm of Baron & Budd, with offices in Dallas, Baton Rouge, Austin and Los Angeles, is a nationally recognized law firm with over 35 years of Protecting Whats Right for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence. Baron & Budds size and resources enable the firm to take on large and complex cases. The firm represents individuals, governmental and business entities in areas as diverse as water contamination, Gulf oil spill, Qui Tam, California Proposition 65 violations, unsafe drugs and medical devices, Chinese drywall, deceptive advertising, consumer financial fraud, securities fraud and asbestos cancers such as mesothelioma.

Amanda Theakeratheaker@baronbudd.com214.523.6260

A Tuesday report by semi-official Mehr news agency quotes Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi as saying intelligence officers arrested the members of "counterrevolutionary networks" in 10 buildings across the city of Tehran.

The detainees were in close contact with TV networks that advocate the Baha'i faith, Dowlatabadi said.

Baha'i practitioners are frequently prosecuted in Iran, prompting outcry among international human rights groups.

The Iranian government banned the Baha'i religion after 1979, when Islamic clerics came to power. It was founded in the 1860s by Baha'u'llah, a Persian nobleman considered a prophet by the Baha'is. Islam considers Muhammad the final prophet.

That feeling lasted about two minutes. That's how long it took for her to get on the phone and spread the news to everyone she could think of.

This was two years ago and, after repeatedly asking her to stop, she continues to tell. Two days ago, I caught her spilling the beans to an acquaintance she hadn't spoken to in more than a decade. We got into a heated argument, and she told me she will say what she wants, whenever she wants, to whomever she wants.

My feelings are not considered, even though I was the victim in all of this. I feel she tells my story to gain sympathy for herself.

Abby, I'm ready to end my relationship with my mother. How can I make her stop flapping her lips? -- THE GOSSIP'S DAUGHTER

DEAR DAUGHTER: I suspect you are correct about your mother's motives, and you have my sympathy. Because you can't "make her stop flapping her lips," you will have to accept that she can't be trusted with any confidential information.

As I see it, you have two choices. The first would be to cut her out of your life (for which I wouldn't blame you), and the other is to avoid sharing any personal information with her in the future.

DEAR ABBY: My 21-year-old daughter, "Shannon," has moved back home and has a part-time job. We pay for her health and car insurance. Because her funds are limited, I asked her to make me a list of things she might want for Christmas. The two things she wants are a tattoo and a piercing.

I told her that while I respect her wish to express herself, I do not want to pay for something like that. I said if she wants a tattoo and a piercing, she will have to save her money and get them. She became upset with me and said I should give her what she wants instead of something I prefer.

I know there are things Shannon needs. Am I selfish for not wanting to give her a tattoo or piercing when I'd rather spend my money on something more practical like shoes, clothing or incidentals? -- SENSIBLE MOM IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS

DEAR SENSIBLE MOM: If you are uncomfortable paying for a body modification for your daughter, then don't do it. However, you should take into consideration that Shannon is an adult now and reconsider imposing your values on her.

If she were my daughter, I would give her a check for Christmas along with a note expressing holiday wishes and the thought that you gave her a healthy body, and with it, a nice complexion. It is now hers to do with as she wishes. Then cross your fingers and hope she'll have second thoughts.

DEAR ABBY: One of my neighbors insisted on giving me some handcrafted Christmas decorations that are hideous. I have never been big on decorating the outside of my home for the holidays, but when I do, I have my own that I like much better.

I know she expects me to display her items and will be all bent out of shape when she sees I haven't. Is there a diplomatic way to avoid hurt feelings? -- FLORIDA READER

DEAR READER: Not really. So hang one or two of them in an inconspicuous place when you decorate for the holidays, so they will be "lost" among the items you prefer to display, or refrain from decorating this year.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: "Abby's Favorite Recipes" and "More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby." Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)