U.S. Department of Labor Seeks Information From Battery Manufacturer’s Employees as Wage Violations Case Continues in Federal Court

LYON STATION, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit alleging overtime and recordkeeping violations of federal law against East Penn Manufacturing Co. and encourages current and former employees affected by the alleged wage violations to contact the Department's Wage and Hour Division District Office in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

The lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) continues in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. East Penn Manufacturing, which makes batteries, has filed a response with the Court to the Department's complaint. The Court projects a trial could begin as early as June 2019.

"Information from employees directly impacted by the violations is always important," said Oscar L. Hampton III, Regional Solicitor. "The Department of Labor strongly encourages current and former East Penn Manufacturing employees who believe they have relevant information about their employment to contact the Wage and Hour Division."

Current and former employees of the company may contact the Wage and Hour Division at 570-846-3620. The FLSA's anti-retaliation provision prohibits firing or other reprisals against employees who provide information to the U.S. Department of Labor.

An investigation by the Wage and Hour Division found that East Penn Manufacturing failed to pay employees for all hours they worked when it failed to pay for all the time shown on company time records. At least some of that time was spent putting on protective clothing after clocking in, and then removing that protective clothing and showering before clocking out. Instead, East Penn paid employees only for their scheduled hours, in violation of the FLSA, the Department alleges.

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).