November 23, 2018

Operators of South Florida Urinalysis Lab Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $9.6 Million in Restitution for Healthcare Fraud

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced the chief executive officer and the chief operating officer of Smart Lab LLC to prison and ordered them and the company to pay more than $9.6 million in restitution after a federal investigation found that they had defrauded healthcare benefit programs.

November 21, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending November 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 224,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 5,000 from 216,000 to 221,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,500, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,250 from 215,250 to 216,500.

November 20, 2018

Federal Court Orders Cleveland Business Owner to Pay Restitution, Serve 24 Months in Prison for Fraud and Theft of Employee Benefit Plan

CLEVELAND, OH – As a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has sentenced business executive C. David Snyder of Cleveland, Ohio, to serve 24 months of imprisonment, followed by an additional three years of supervised release, and to make more than $781,000 in restitution, following a federal investigation and prosecution leading to conviction on charges of embezzlement and tax fraud.

November 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Settles Allegations of Hiring Discrimination Against Federal Contractor in Denver, Colorado

DENVER, CO – The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a conciliation agreement with Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope Inc. - a federal government contractor that supplies building materials - to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at the company’s Denver, Colorado, facility.

November 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Focuses on Worker Safety and Pay During Holiday Shopping Season

WASHINGTON, DC – As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Wage and Hour Division (WHD) are reminding employers to protect worker safety and pay. 

November 20, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Assistance for California Wildfires Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced actions it is taking to assist Americans in California affected by devastating wildfires.

"The Department of Labor is actively engaged in Administration efforts to help those impacted by devastating wildfires in California," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "As Californians come together to help their friends, neighbors, and all individuals who have been affected recover, the Department of Labor is committed to supporting the American worker."

November 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Los Angeles County Restaurant Paying $219,716 to 33 Employees to Resolve Wage Violations

WEST COVINA, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Pho Ha Pomona Inc. – operator of Pho Ha Vietnamese Restaurant based in Pomona, California – will pay $219,716 in back wages and liquidated damages to 33 employees for minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $120,869 for 32 Employees Of Tempe, Arizona, Company to Resolve Wage Violations

PHOENIX, AZ – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Sound Image – a audio, visual and lighting installation company in Tempe, Arizona – has paid 32 employees $120,860 in back wages and liquidated damages for violating overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Continues to Provide Support in Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Michael

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to provide technical assistance and outreach in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Michael, and is returning to normal enforcement operations throughout most of Florida and Georgia.

November 19, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Manufacturer

LAKEWOOD, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mister Cookie Face LLC for machine safety hazards after an employee suffered an amputation at the Lakewood, New Jersey, facility. The company faces $103,476 in penalties.

November 16, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $96,511 for Arkansas Tire Shop Employees

SPRINGDALE, AR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Rental Concepts LLC - doing business as RNR Tire Express in Springdale, Arkansas - has paid $96,511 in back wages to 239 employees to resolve systemic violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions. The employer also violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) recordkeeping provisions.

November 16, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Window and Door Manufacturer After Employee Suffers Partial Finger Amputation

HIALEAH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited PGT Industries Inc. – operating as CGI Windows and Doors Inc. in Hialeah, Florida – for machine guarding hazards after an employee suffered a partial finger amputation while working on an unguarded punch press. The window and door manufacturer faces $398,545 in penalties, including the maximum amount allowed by law for the violations that can cause life-altering injury. 

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor to Provide Educational Forum in Nevada

LAS VEGAS, NV - The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will present an educational forum about developments in its policies and regulations, and the Department's Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 27, 2018.

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $104,739 for Southern California Pool and Spa Construction Company’s Employees

WEST COVINA, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Pacific Custom Pools Inc. – based in Pasadena, California – will pay $104,739 to 13 employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Los Angeles-Area Restaurant Paying $65,704 to 10 Employees to Resolve Wage Violations

RIVERSIDE, CA – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Super Happy Buffet – a restaurant based in Riverside, California – will pay $65,704 to 10 employees for minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in San Diego-Area Chain Restaurants Paying $31,939 to Resolve Wage Violations

SAN DIEGO, CA – Twenty-five El Pollo Loco restaurants in San Diego County – operated by Pel/Lion LLC of Oceanside, California – will pay 35 employees $31,939 after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Burbank, California, Transportation Company Paying $80,140 to Resolve Overtime Violations

LOS ANGELES, CA – Templar Transportation Corporation – based in Burbank, California – will pay $80,140 to 26 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Department also assessed the company $12,163 in civil penalties.

November 15, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Enters Into Consent Decree With Meat Processing Company to Resolve Hiring Discrimination Cases

GREELEY, CO - The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and JBS USA have entered into a consent decree resolving allegations of hiring discrimination at the company's beef processing facilities in Hyrum, Utah, and Cactus, Texas.

November 15, 2018

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending November 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 214,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's unrevised average of 213,750.

November 13, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Nebraska Staffing Agency Following Heat-Related Fatality

GRAND ISLAND, NE The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rivera Agri Inc. – a provider of temporary agricultural labor – for failing to protect employees working in excessive heat after a farmworker succumbed to apparent heat-related symptoms while working in a cornfield near Grand Island, Nebraska.