The Department of Labor (“DOL”) has collected a record-breaking $322 million in back wages in 2019 for workers alleging unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations. The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division uncovered $186 million for employers failing to pay time-and-a-half for all overtime hours worked over forty in a given workweek, and $40 million for minimum wage violations. The DOL said these record-breaking numbers confirm their ongoing commitment to combat labor law violations and provide employers with the resources to comply with the law. Last year in 2018, the DOL recovered $304 million in overtime and minimum wage penalties.
DOL Administrator Cheryl Stanton made a series of policy changes, including the ability to subpoena companies for alleged overtime violations. Her goal was to eliminate the economic advantage that employers try to gain over their employees.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), employers are required to pay their non-exempt workers overtime at a rate of one-and-a-half times the employees regular rate of pay for all hours worked over forty in a given workweek. Employers are also required to pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and failure to pay for any hour is a violation of the FLSA. The fact that the DOL has recovered a record amount for FLSA violations this year shows that violations of the statute are still rampant and pervasive. Individuals who believe they are owed overtime pay or minimum wage pay have two primary options – they can either file a complaint with the DOL or hire a private attorney to pursue their claims. Josh Borsellino is a private attorney who regularly represents workers on overtime claims.
Are you an employee who has been denied overtime pay and/or minimum wage? Are you unsure of how to recover your wages? Consider speaking with an experienced FLSA attorney today. Josh Borsellino is a FLSA attorney who understands the rules and regulations around unpaid overtime and minimum wage. He fights for the rights of workers to recover their back wages. He works on a contingency fee basis meaning that he only gets paid if you get paid, so call him today at 817.908.9861 or 432.242.7118.
