September 17, 2018

North Carolina Sawmill Pays Back Wages and Penalty After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Child Labor and Wage Violations

RUTHERFORDTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has assessed D&M Logging Inc. a civil penalty of $9,112 for violating Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) child labor requirements after a minor suffered a hand injury while employed at the company’s sawmill in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. D&M Logging Inc. paid the civil money penalty. Additionally, D&M Logging Inc. paid $12,692 to 11 employees to correct the overtime violations.

September 13, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Washington State Staffing Company Paying $355,478 to Resolve Wage Violations

SEATTLE, WA – People Tech Group Inc. – a Redmond, Washington, information technology staffing company – will pay 12 employees $309,914 after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated the labor provisions of the H-1B visa program by paying its guest workers far below the required wages, and sometimes not paying them at all. The Department also assessed the company $45,564 in civil penalties for the violations.

September 13, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Recovers $3.5 Million in Back Wages and Benefits to Employees at a Long Beach, California, Company

LONG BEACH, CA – California Cartage Company LLC – based in Long Beach, California – will pay $3,573,074 to 1,416 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the company violated federal contract provisions of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).

September 12, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Protects American Workers With H-2B Education and Enforcement Initiative in the Landscaping Industry

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the landscaping industry. The initiative includes providing compliance assistance tools and information to employers and stakeholders, as well as conducting investigations of employers using this program.

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session About Proposed Overtime Rule in Denver, Colorado

DENVER, CO – On September 14, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Denver, Colorado, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Wage and Child Labor Violations at Mississippi Slaughterhouse

SUMMIT, MS – Kased Brothers Halal Meat Inc. – a slaughterhouse based in Summit, Mississippi – paid $14,768 in back wages to 12 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the company violated minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company was assessed and paid a civil penalty of $8,368 for child labor violations.

September 10, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session About Proposed Overtime Rule in Kansas City, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, MO On September 13, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Kansas City, Missouri, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

September 10, 2018

CORRECTED: U.S. Department of Labor Investigations Result in San Diego-Area Massage Parlors Paying $61,317 to Resolve Wage Violations

SAN DIEGO, CA – Two San Diego-area massage parlor companies – Yuanjun International Inc. and Rama Thai Massage – will pay 17 employees a collective $61,317 after U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigations found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 7, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Session about Proposed Overtime Rule in Seattle, Washington

SEATTLE, WA – On September 11, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public listening session in Seattle, Washington, to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the "Overtime Rule."

September 7, 2018

Orlando Contractor to Pay $574,989 After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Improper Pay Deductions

ORLANDO, FL – Loyal Source Government Services LLC – a medical and support staff contactor based in Orlando, Florida – will pay $574,989 to 4,047 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation determined the company violated the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).

WHD investigators found Loyal Source Government Services LLC unlawfully deducted $10 per paycheck from each employee for the administration of employee health and welfare benefits.

September 7, 2018

Florida Construction Company to Pay $111,197 in Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Violations

WINTER GARDEN, FL – KBL Buildings Inc. – based in Winter Garden, Florida – will pay $111,197 in back wages to 100 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that the metal framing construction company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 5, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division Signs Agreements With Puerto Rico Agencies to Share Information and Resources

SAN JUAN, PR – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has signed agreements with the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Labor Standards Division (PR-LSD), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (OCPR) to establish collaborative relationships to promote compliance with laws where the agencies have common interests.

September 5, 2018

Court Orders Pennsylvania Restaurant to Pay $88,282 in Back Wages, Damages and Penalties Following U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

BETHEL PARK, PA – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Danny's Pizza Enterprises Inc. – a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, quick-service restaurant doing business as Danny's Pizza & Hoagies – following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the employer violated the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

September 5, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Protects American Workers With H-2B Education and Enforcement Initiative

WASHINGTON, DC - To ensure compliance with federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a nationwide initiative to strengthen compliance with the labor provisions of the H-2B temporary visa program in the hotel industry.

August 28, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Issues New Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced today that it has issued six new opinion letters. This release demonstrates the agency's continued commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance to help employees understand their rights and ensure that employers have the information they need to comply with federal labor laws. The letters released today address compliance under both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

August 28, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Los Angeles Garment Maker Paying $51,840 to 40 Employees to Resolve Wage Violations

LOS ANGELES, CA – Garment contractor SMT Apparel Inc. – based in Los Angeles, California – will pay 40 employees $51,840 after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that the company failed to pay minimum wage and overtime, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

August 28, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Debars North Carolina Farm Labor Contractor for Wage and Worker Protection Violations; Assesses $174,614 Penalty

CLINTON, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has debarred Ruben V. Serna – owner of Serna Harvesting, a farm labor contractor – from participation in the H-2A visa program for three years for violations of federal wage and H-2A program requirements. WHD found that Serna owed $194,109 in back wages to 181 employees certified to work at 15 North Carolina farms for which the contractor provides H-2A workers. WHD also assessed Serna a civil money penalty of $174,614 for the violations.

August 27, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Host Listening Sessions About Proposed Overtime Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division announced today that in the upcoming weeks it will hold public listening sessions to gather views on the Part 541 white-collar exemption regulations, often referred to as the “Overtime Rule.”

August 27, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in San Antonio Restaurants Paying $208,642 in Back Wages

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Taqueria Chapala Jalisco restaurant – based in San Antonio, Texas – has paid $208,642 to 69 employees to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping requirements found at four of its locations during a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation.

August 24, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Alabama Ironworks Contractor Paying $106,046 in Back Wages and Benefits to 77 Employees

SYLACAUGA, AL – Ironworks subcontractor Hoytt Reinforcing Inc. – based in Sylacauga, Alabama – will pay $106,046 in back wages, overtime, and fringe benefits to 77 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).