US Department of Labor recovers $90K in back wages for 33 workers at Laurel, Petal auto repair shops after investigation finds violations

PETAL, MS – The operator of two Mississippi auto service and repair shops has come into compliance after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation recovered $90,068 in back wages for 33 workers and determined the employer failed to pay them overtime as the law requires.

Investigators found that Paul’s Discount Glass Inc. in Petal and Paul’s Discount Glass & Tire Inc. in Laurel paid auto glass installers and auto mechanics a fixed weekly salary for working 45 hours per week. The employer violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime provision by not including additional overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. In addition, the agency also cited Paul’s Discount for failing to maintain accurate pay records.

“Overtime and other wage violations are all too common among the auto care industry. Employers who fail to comply with the law and pay fair wages wind up hurting the people they depend on most, their employees,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Audrey Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. “The Wage and Hour Division will continue to hold all employers accountable when they fail to uphold their obligations to their workers. We are also available to assist any employer who has questions or needs assistance meeting their obligations to their employees.”

The Wage and Hour Division offers additional information, including free resources. The division’s Northeast and Southeast regions will host a webinar, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. to educate the auto care industry of essential protections for workers. Register for the webinar here.

Learn more about the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws enforced by the division or contact its toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Use the division’s free search tool use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.