US Department of Labor recovers $100K in wages for Oklahoma City rehabilitation program residents denied minimum wage, overtime

Employer name:           OKC Metro Alliance

                                               operating as Men’s and Women’s Firstep Residential Recovery Program

Investigation site:        1940 Linwood Blvd.

                                               Oklahoma City, OK 73106

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime provisions when OKC Metro Alliance placed recovery center residents within their Firstep Programs – a long-term residential drug and alcohol recovery program – in third-party employment and withheld wages – essentially acting as a joint employer. The employer agreed to change its business model to avoid future violations and paid back wages after entering into a compliance and settlement agreement with the department.

Back wages recovered: $100,000 to 491 employees

Quote: “We worked closely with OKC Metro Alliance to help them develop a business model that complies with the law. Similar recovery centers need to pay attention to this case and make sure they comply with labor laws or call us for assistance,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Michael Speer in Oklahoma City. “Our website has an abundance of information about the many laws covered by the Wage and Hour Division. We encourage employers and workers to call us with any questions or complaints.”

Learn more about Wage and Hour Division.