US Department of Labor recovers $25K in back wages, damages after finding Cowpens plumbing company shortchanged 17 workers’ overtime

Employer:                       Williams Plumbing & Associates Inc.

                                                243 Battleground Road

                                                Cowpens, SC 29330

Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found the Cowpens plumbing company paid employees a time-and-a-half rate for only the first five hours over 40 in a workweek. After that, the employer reverted to paying employees their regular rate of pay for all hours after 45, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The employer also violated the FLSA by deducting $.25 per minute for every minute employees arrived late for work and failed to keep accurate records of the hours worked and driving time for employees. 

Back wages and liquidated damages recovered: $25,364 in back wages and liquidated damages for 17 workers.                       

Quote: “Workers’ wages are protected by law. Employers must ensure that their workers are paid the wages they earned in accordance with the law. They cannot defy their legal requirements by incorporating random, internal rules that penalize workers,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel in Columbia, South Carolina. “We encourage employers to contact us for guidance on how to comply with laws related to their employment practices and to use our comprehensive online educational resources to prevent violations similar to those found in this case.

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, including its search tool to learn if you are owed back wages collected by the division. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department’s Android and iPhone Timesheet App available for free in English or Spanish.