CORRECTION: Idaho Construction Company to Pay Employees $48,206 After U.S. Department of Labor Finds Overtime, Child Labor Violations

BOISE, IDAHO – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Cano Roofing Inc. – a construction company doing business as Signature Roofing in Eagle, Idaho – will pay $48,206 to 68 employees for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime requirements. WHD also assessed $5,526 in civil penalties to Cano Roofing Inc. for several child labor violations.

Child labor violations include employing a 16-year old to perform roofing work and operate a power grinder; and permitting a 17-year-old to drive and service a company truck that exceeded weight and size limitations for minor employees – all FLSA child labor violations.

Investigators also found the company paid employees on a piece-rate basis, per square foot, on residential projects. This practice resulted in violations when the employer failed to keep a record of the number of hours these employees worked, and subsequently failed to pay them overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek. Cano also failed to pay overtime to three hourly workers and failed to pay employees for time spent in short rest breaks.  

“Employers must understand and comply with child labor requirements, and provide a safe and healthy on-the-job experience when they hire young workers. Employers are also required to pay their employees all the wages they have legally earned,” said Wage and Hour District Office Director Thomas Silva in Seattle, Washington. “We encourage employers and employees to call us for assistance to improve their understanding of the labor standards and learn about our on-line educational tools, to avoid violations like those found in this investigation.”

The department offers numerous resources to ensure employers have the tools they need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with federal law, such as online videos, confidential calls, or in-person visits to local WHD offices.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the 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/agencies/whd.

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act, and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

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.

Editor’s Note:  The original version of this release misstated that a 14-year old was allowed to use a power grinder.