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Landscaping firm to pay $45,000 for overtime and child labor violations
Becker, MN - The U.S. Labor Department has assessed a landscaping company $9,625 in civil money penalties for alleged violation of the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
An investigation conducted by the department's Wage and Hour Division in Minneapolis found three youths, ages 11, 13, and 16, were employed in violation of regulations that protect young workers. All of the youths operated a Bobcat loader. One youth operated a wood chipper and another towed vehicles with a pickup truck. Two youths laid sod and rock. In addition, one youth worked more hours and later than permitted under child labor regulations.
The company also agreed to pay $34,256 to 50 employees for minimum wage and overtime pay violations. The department's investigation found employees paid on a commission basis who did not receive the required federal minimum wage. Some employees were not paid for all hours worked. In addition, employees were not paid time and one-half after 40 hours in a week.
Federal youth employment regulations restrict the hours that minors under the age of 16 may work and identify hazardous occupations in which minors under the age of 18 may not be employed. Minors under 14 years of age generally may not work in nonagricultural jobs.
Under federal law, 14 and 15-year-olds may work outside school hours, but not later than 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 until Labor Day). They may not work before 7 a.m. In addition, they may not work more than three hours on school days or more than 18 hours in a school week. These minors may work up to eight hours on non-school days, or 40 hours during non-school weeks.
Further information:
Becker, Minn., Landscaping Firm Assessed $9,625 in Penalties for Child Labor Violations
Restaurant to pay $270,666 in back overtime pay and damages
Oak Creek, WI - A federal district court has ordered the owners of a restaurant to pay 21 employees $270,666 in unpaid overtime wages and liquidated damages following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The federal district court in Milwaukee found that restaurant and its owners violated the overtime pay provisions of the FLSA by paying employees less than time and one-half for hours worked over forty in a single workweek. Investigators determined that cooks, busboys and dishwashers at the restaurant were paid a fixed weekly salary, in cash, without any overtime premium for hours worked in excess of forty in a single workweek. The employees regularly worked 60 to 72 hours per week.
Further information:
Workers at Judy's Restaurant, Oak Creek, Wis., Owed $270,666 In Back Overtime Pay and Damages
Computer company to pay $531,226 in back overtime wages
Houston, TX - A company that manufactures and rents computers has agreed to pay $531,226 in overtime back wages to 277 current and former computer technicians and technical support employees.
The investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division concluded that the company violated the FLSA by failing to pay overtime correctly to salaried, non-exempt employees for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. The company also failed to maintain records required by the FLSA.
Further information:
Houston-based Computer Company Agrees to Pay $531,226 in Back Overtime Wages to 277 Employees
Building supplies firm to pay $124,300 in back wages to 82 employees
Hawaii and Oahu - A planing mill has agreed to pay $124,315 in overtime back wages to 82 employees who were improperly classified as exempt from overtime pay under the FLSA. The U.S. Labor Department also assessed a civil penalty of $1,320 for a child labor law violation.
An investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division determined that the employees who did not receive overtime pay, most of whom sold building materials and supplies, are eligible for overtime for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. The remaining workers also performed non-exempt work.
The department also fined the company $1,320 for allowing a 17-year-old worker to use a nail gun and operate a forklift, violating federal rules prohibiting minors under 18 from using hazardous equipment on the job.
Further information:
Hawaiian Firm to Pay $124,300 in Back Wages to 82 Employees
...back to 27 October 2005
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