Southern California Software Company Pays $48,193 to Employee After U.S. Department of Labor Finds H-1B Visa Program Violations

GLENDALE, CA – A Glendale, California, software engineering company has paid $48,193 to one employee after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated labor provisions of the H-1B foreign labor certification program.  

WHD investigators found Assigncorp failed to provide work for the employee – as required by the visa program – when business slowed, and did not pay the hourly rate required in the program's Labor Certification Application (LCA) for this idle time, a violation of federal law.

"Employers that wish to hire guest workers must fully familiarize themselves with the H-1B foreign labor certification program. The program helps American companies find highly skilled talent when there is a shortage of U.S. workers," said Wage and Hour Division District Director Kimchi Bui, in Los Angeles, California. "The resolution of this case demonstrates our commitment to safeguard American jobs, level the playing field for law-abiding employers, and ensure no one is being paid less than they are legally owed."

Assigncorp provides IT consulting services to projects that involve database and web-based applications, content management, and block chain technology.

WHD provides employers with compliance assistance resources related to the H-1B visa program. For more information about this visa program 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 www.dol.gov/whd including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by WHD.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.