News Brief
US Department of Labor recovers $114K for 92 workers after investigation finds Houston car wash chain denied overtime wages
Employer locations: Westheimer Car Wash LLC, 12810 Westheimer Road, Houston (Headquarters)
Hobby Car Wash LLC, 7991 Bellfort Ave., Houston
Cypress Car Wash LLC, 12702 Jones Road, Houston
Cy Fair Car Wash LLC, 2030 S. Texas 6, Houston
Spring Car Wash LLC, 6880 Louetta Road, Spring
Richmond Car Wash LLC, 1620 FM 359 Road, Richmond
All operating as Dr. Car Wash Plus locations
Investigation findings: Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found the employer paid straight time for hours worked without any overtime premium for hours over 40 in a workweek and did not include sales commissions in the regular rate for overtime purposes, both violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Investigators also determined the employer failed to keep complete and accurate records of the number of hours worked by employees and categorized the pay for hours worked over 40 as commission payment.
Back Wages Recovered: $114,221 for 92 workers.
Quote: “When workers in low-wage industries are illegally denied overtime pay, it is difficult for them to make ends meet and care for their families,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Robin Mallett in Houston. “Federal law requires that employers pay workers all their hard-earned wages, including overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Dr. Car Wash Plus denied workers overtime pay by categorizing the pay as commission. We encourage employers to contact us with any questions regarding their obligations under the law.”
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 fact sheet on the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements . Workers who feel they may not be getting the wages they earned may contact a Wage and Hour Division representative in their state by accessing the list of offices and an interactive online map on the agency’s website. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/timesheet-app
