Louisiana Company Agrees to Resolve Overtime and Other Violations

SCOTT, LA – A Southwest Louisiana company that tests soil and concrete density for construction projects has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division to resolve violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

An investigation found Louisiana Testing and Inspection Inc. violated FLSA overtime and recordkeeping provisions willfully when the employer falsified payroll records. While the records purportedly reflected payment of time-and-one-half workers’ regular rates of pay for overtime hours they worked, the Wage and Hour Division determined the employer paid employees for only two-thirds of their overtime hours. This practice effectively resulted in the payment of straight-time rates for all overtime hours worked. The Division extended the investigation to cover a three-year period because of the violations’ willful nature.

In its agreement, the company paid $100,429 in owed overtime back wages, an equal, additional amount in liquidated damages, and $10,876 in civil money penalties.

“The FLSA is about fairness,” said Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell. “Companies that alter or falsify records to willfully deny employees the wages they have legally earned not only short these workers but create an uneven playing field for employers who play by the rules.”

As part of the agreement, Louisiana Testing agreed to provide newly hired employees with FLSA Handy Reference Guides, and provide managers and supervisors with training on FLSA compliance.

For more information about federal wage laws, call the Wage and Hour Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or its New Orleans District Office at 504-589-6171. Information is also available at http://www.dol.gov/whd.