News Release
US Department of Labor recovers more than $78K in back wages, damages for 37 Florida workers denied overtime by construction contractor
Employer: Alabama Resources LLC, operating as ALARES
Investigation site: 4624 Lori Lane, Milton, FL 32571
Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found Alabama Resources LLC – a commercial construction contractor – paid employees a day rate while failing to include the half-time rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. The employer also errantly claimed a 30-minute deduction for lunch breaks that only applies when workers are free and clear from work. ALARES also failed to keep accurate records of employees’ work hours for each day, both Fair Labor Standards Act violations.
Back Wages Recovered: $78,008 in back wages and liquidated damages for 37 workers.
Quote: “Paying a salary or a daily rate of pay does not relieve an employer from their obligation to pay workers their federal overtime premiums, should those apply,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Wildalí De Jesús in Orlando, Florida. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ensuring all workers receive all the wages they earn. We encourage employers to contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions.”
Background: Employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. The division also offers numerous online resources for employers, such as a compliance assistance toolkit of the construction industry and a fact sheet on Fair Labor Standards Act wage laws overtime requirements. Workers who feel they may not be getting the wages they earned may contact a Wage and Hour Division representative in their state through a list and interactive online map on the agency’s website.
