US Department of Labor recovers nearly $18K in back wages, damages for wrongly terminated worker at rehabilitation facility in Louisiana

Employer name:        Covington-AMG Rehabilitation Hospital LLC, doing business as AMG Physical

                                            Rehab

Investigation site:     5025 Keystone Blvd. 

                                            Covington, LA 70433                                                                                                      

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found AMG Physical Rehab violated the Family and Medical Leave Act by denying a key employee’s request for medical leave and subsequently terminated her. Key employees are covered by FMLA and are eligible to receive leave under the Act. AMG Physical Rehab also failed to provide required notices on FMLA eligibility, rights and responsibilities to the employee. 

Back wages and damages: $8,967 in back wages and $8,967 in liquidated damages.

Quote: “This case demonstrates the importance of providing required notifications to employees about their Family and Medical Leave Act rights and responsibilities,” said Troy Mouton, District Director in New Orleans. “Employees who are eligible for FMLA have rights that must be honored, and terminating an employee who attempts to exercise those rights can have costly consequences.”

Background: Employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division. The FMLA provides eligible employees of covered employers with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. It protects leave in a number of circumstances, including the birth or care of a child, placement of a child for adoption or foster care, and care for a spouse or parent who has a serious health condition. 

Learn more about the FMLA.