Miami health products manufacturer pays more than $145K in back wages after US Labor Department investigation

Employer name: Millennium Natural Health Products Inc.

Investigation site: 10575 NW 37th Terrace, Miami, Florida 33178

Investigation findings: Investigators from the department's Wage and Hour Division found that Millennium Natural Health Products Inc. failed to pay 39 workers on time for six semi-monthly payrolls this year Employees did not receive wages for the hours they worked during pay periods for which a payroll was missed, resulting in minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Additionally, due to the missed payrolls, employees who worked more than 40 hours in a work week were denied overtime compensation. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as well as overtime compensation at time and one-half their regular rates for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Additionally, the employer paid employees straight time wages rather than the required time and one-half when employees worked beyond 40 hours in a work week.

Resolution: Millennium has agreed to comply with FLSA in the future and has paid back wages to 39 employees totaling $145,706.

Quote: "It is the responsibility of all employers to ensure that they pay their workers. Employers are required to maintain current payroll, and cannot withhold employees' pay to finance operations," said Frank McGriggs, the division's deputy regional administrator in Atlanta. "This investigation should serve as a warning to other employers who may contemplate missing a payroll. The Wage and Hour Division will use every tool available to ensure that workers receive the wages they have rightly earned."

Information: The FLSA requires that covered, non-exempt employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all hours worked, plus time and one-half their regular rates, including commissions, bonuses and incentive pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Employers also must maintain accurate time and payroll records.