November 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Two Wage and Hour Opinion Letters

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced two opinion letters that address compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An opinion letter is an official, written opinion by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific circumstances presented by the person or entity that requested the letter.

The opinion letters issued today are:

November 30, 2020

Seminole, Florida, Company Pays $10,125 in Back Wages to Employees After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Overtime Violations

TAMPA, FL After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Jenergy Air Services, LLC – a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company based in Seminole, Florida –   has paid $10,125 in back wages to 10 employees to settle overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 30, 2020

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers And Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Keeping America’s Workplaces Safe and Healthy:

November 24, 2020

Southern California Manufacturer Pays Back Wages, Restores Sick Leave To Dozens of Workers During Coronavirus Pandemic

LOS ANGELES, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Delta Fabrication – a sheet metal parts manufacturer based in Canoga Park, California – will pay $19,694 in back wages to 71 employees. The company wrongly paid workers only two-thirds of their regular rates when they took coronavirus-related sick leave, a violation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

November 23, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $24,823 in Back Wages After Investigation Finds Contractor Violated Federal Requirements in Florida

SANFORD, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Trinity Technology Group Inc. – a federal contractor based in Manassas, Virginia – has paid $24,823 in back wages to 102 employees to resolve violations of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) for work performed at the Orlando/Sanford International Airport in Sanford, Florida.

November 20, 2020

Lenovo Inc. Pays Employee $108,152 After Violating Family and Medical Leave Act at North Carolina Headquarters

MORRISVILLE, NC – Computer manufacturer Lenovo Inc. has paid an employee $108,152 to resolve violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act disclosed in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.

November 20, 2020

Suwannee, Georgia, Dunkin Pays Back Wages to Employee Wrongly Denied Paid Sick Leave after Coronavirus Diagnosis

SUWANEE, GA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Boston Coffee Inc. – the operator of a Suwanee, Georgia, Dunkin’ location – has paid $1,040 in back wages after wrongly denying emergency paid sick leave to an employee who self-quarantined after receiving a coronavirus diagnosis.

November 20, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Emphasizes Protecting Worker Safety and Pay During Holiday Season

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and its Wage and Hour Division (WHD) remind employers of their responsibility to protect worker safety and pay during the holiday season.

November 20, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Finds Wage and Child Labor Violations At Three Mississippi Poultry Processing Plants

MORTON, MS After investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), three Mississippi poultry processing plants have paid $45,719 in back wages to 129 employees to resolve minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 20, 2020

Mississippi Fish Farm Pays $30,963 in Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Finds H-2A Visa Program Violations

SCHLATER, MS – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tackett Fish Farms LLC – based in Schlater, Mississippi – has paid $30,963 in back wages to 38 employees for violating the labor provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act’s H-2A visa program. 

November 19, 2020

Contractor for U.S. Postal Service in Southern California Pays $116,513 In Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Finds Wage Violations

WEST COVINA, CA After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Fames Transport Inc. – a mail-hauling contractor for the U.S. Postal Service in Southern California – has paid $116,513 in back wages and fringe benefits to 67 employees for violating the Service Contract Act (SCA).

November 19, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $13,781 in Back Wages for Fort Myers, Florida, Grocery Store Workers After Overtime Violations Found

FORT MYERS, FL S & O Groceries Inc. – operating as Bravo Supermarket in Fort Myers, Florida – has paid $13,781 in back wages to two employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Department also assessed the grocery store a civil penalty of $806 for the repeat nature of the violations.

November 19, 2020

Nevada Construction Company Pays Back Wages After Wrongly Denying Paid Sick Leave During Coronavirus Pandemic

LAS VEGAS, NV – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Jerezee Construction – a construction company based in Las Vegas, Nevada – will pay $3,270 in back wages after wrongly denying paid sick leave to an employee whose healthcare provider advised to self-quarantine following a potential coronavirus exposure, and failing to pay overtime.

November 19, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Launches Education, Enforcement Initiative To Boost Compliance with Prevailing Wage Laws on Federal Projects

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has launched an education and enforcement initiative in eight Southeastern states to ensure construction companies that work on federal or federally assisted construction projects meet prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).

November 16, 2020

Gloucester County, New Jersey, Farm Pays Employee Back Wages For Wrongly Denying Paid Sick Leave After Coronavirus Diagnosis

NEWFIELD, NJ – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Buster Petronglo & Son Farm LLC – a Gloucester County, New Jersey, agricultural employer – has paid $1,377 in back wages for wrongly denying paid sick leave to an employee in quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus.

November 12, 2020

Franklin, Tennessee, Restaurant Pays $179,878 in Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Uncovers Wage Violations

FRANKLIN, TN After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant – based in Franklin, Tennessee – has paid $179,878 in back wages to 40 employees to resolve minimum wage violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 12, 2020

Palm Bay Electrical Contractor to Pay $19,642 in Back Wages After U.S. Department of Labor Finds Overtime Violations

PALM BAY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Cornelius Electrical Contractors Inc. – based in Palm Bay, Florida – will pay $19,642 in back wages to 13 employees after violating overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 10, 2020

Houston Railroad Company Pays Back Wages and Reinstates Employee Wrongly Denied Paid Leave to Care for Child During Pandemic

HOUSTON, TX – TracWorks Inc. – a railroad track construction, maintenance and rehabilitation company based in a Houston, Texas – has paid $4,804 in back wages after wrongly denying an employee leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSLA) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). 

November 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $541,026 for Employees of Miami-Area Aviation Engine Repair Companies Following Missed Payrolls

MIAMI, FL After investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), two Miami, Florida-area aviation engine repair and service companies have paid $541,026 in wages to 134 employees after the investigations found minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).