U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $308,811 in Overtime Back Wages for 134 Employees of Michigan Manufacturer

OWOSSO, MI – Michigan truck accessories manufacturer, Rugged Liner Inc. will pay $308,811 in back wages owed to 134 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) that found the company violated the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WHD investigators determined that the manufacturer automatically deducted 30 minutes from some employees' work time regardless of whether or not they actually took their meal breaks. The employer also deducted 30 minutes for shorter rest breaks, which the law requires be paid for as work time. The company also failed to pay employees for any time they spent working before and/or after their shifts, instead paying only for scheduled hours without regard to the number of hours they actually worked. Additional violations resulted when the employer failed to include some bonus payments in the calculation when determining workers' rates for overtime.

"The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring employees receive the wages they have rightfully earned, and that employers compete on a level playing field," said Wage and Hour District Director Timolin Mitchell, in Detroit. "Employers can avoid wage violations by contacting the Wage and Hour Division for assistance to ensure they are in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act."

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by WHD, contact the Division's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers who discover overtime or minimum wage violations may self-report and resolve those violations without litigation through the PAID program. Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/whd including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by WHD.