News Brief
US Department of Labor recovers $170K in wages, damages after investigation finds Bakersfield construction company denied 74 employees overtime pay
Employer: Universal Welding and Construction Inc.
12558 Snow Road
Bakersfield, CA 93314
Investigation findings: An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found Universal Welding and Construction Inc. failed to pay 74 workers overtime rates for the hours they worked beyond 40 in a workweek, denying workers their full earnings in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Back Wages Recovered: $85,004 in unpaid overtime wages for 74 employees
$85,004 in liquidated damages for 74 employees
$34,954 in civil money penalties
Quote: “Employers must pay their workers all the wages they have earned for their work, including overtime,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Cesar Avila in Sacramento. “We urge employers to call us for compliance assistance and learn about our online educational tools to avoid violations like those in this case.”
Context: The FLSA requires that most employees in the U.S. be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime pay at not less than time and one-half the regular rate of pay for all hours over 40 in a workweek. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division and workers’ rights, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.
Employers and workers can call division staff confidentially with questions, regardless of where they are from, and the department can speak with callers confidentially in more than 200 languages through the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Download the agency’s new, free Timesheet App for android devices, available in English and Spanish, to help track work hours and pay.
