Boise manufacturer reaches agreement with US Labor Department on FLSA violations; agrees to pay $717K in back wages, damages

Employers: Forge Building Company, LLC

Site: 2619 West Lampert Drive, Boise, Idaho

Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found that Forge Building Company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions. The company – a provider of customized manufactured galvanized steel structures and storage facilities – failed to pay workers overtime at time-and-one-half for hours worked beyond 40 in a work week. In addition, the employer made illegal deductions from workers’ paychecks to recoup the cost of tools it required them to purchase. These deductions had the effect of lowering the workers’ pay below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Resolution: In an agreement with the department, Forge will pay minimum wages to eight employees and overtime premium to 97 employees, with total back wages calculated at $358,601. The company also agreed to pay an equal sum of $358,601 in damages, totaling $717,202 for the workers.

Quote: “Our investigation has discovered violations resulting in wages that these workers had rightfully earned,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Thomas Silva. “This case allows us to level the playing field for all of the employers who play by the rules. We are dedicated to protect both workers and employers.”

Information: For more information about federal wage laws administered by division, call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information also is available at http://www.dol.gov/whd.