US Department of Labor investigation finds Quicksburg, Virginia, nonprofit failed to pay minimum wage to 40 workers with disabilities

Employer name:

Shen-Paco Industries Inc.

1032 Wissler Road

Quicksburg, VA 22847

Investigation findings:

U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found Shen-Paco Industries Inc.’s certificate that allowed the employer to pay wages below the federal minimum had expired, which led to violations of Section 14 (c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s Employment of Workers with Disabilities at Subminimum Wages provisions. Without a valid certificate, the law requires Shen-Paco to pay 40 affected workers the full minimum wage. The employer also failed to maintain accurate records of employees’ work hours.

Back Wages Paid:

$46,386          

Quote:

The Wage and Hour Division is committed to ensuring that workers with disabilities receive fair treatment and are afforded the full protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act, " said Wage and Hour Division District Director Roberto Melendez in Richmond, Virginia. “We will use available enforcement tools to ensure subminimum wage certificate holders are in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.”

Background:

Shen-Paco Industries Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization that provides day support and employment services to adults with disabilities. The organization offers area companies business services that include custodial services, bulk mailing, small parts assembly, packaging, collating and sorting, recycling and document destruction.

The Wage and Hour Division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool assists workers owed back wages, and 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 and confidential calls to local Wage and Hour Division offices. Learn more about the FLSA. Contact the Wage and Hour Division toll-free at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) for more information.

Learn more about employing workers with disabilities at subminimum wages.