U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Florida Landscaper Paying $79,758 in Back Wages and Damages to 70 Employees

HAINES CITY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), landscaper Southern Sod will pay $79,758 in back wages and liquidated damages to 70 employees. The WHD investigation found the company violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Investigators found Southern Sod paid employees flat rates per day, regardless of the number of hours that they worked. Overtime violations resulted when these employees worked more than 40 hours in a workweek and received only those day rates, with no overtime. This same day-rate practice also resulted in recordkeeping violations, as the employer failed to keep track of the number of hours employees worked.

“It is critical for employers to understand their obligations and responsibilities under the law. Simply because a pay practice may appear to be common in a particular industry does not in any way mean that it complies with the law,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director James Schmidt. “We encourage all employers to make use of the many tools we provide to help them understand and comply with the law, and to contact us for assistance.”

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at http://www.dol.gov/whd/.