Government Cracking Down On Overtime and Minimum Wage Violations
According to Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Hilda Solis, the Obama administration is cracking down on violations of minimum wage and overtime laws under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In order to assist employees, the DOL is supporting a proposal that would require employers to provide workers more information concerning how their pay is calculated.
It is important to speak to an experienced wage and hour attorney if you have questions concerning your compensation or if believe you have been denied the minimum wage or overtime pay you are entitled to.
The FLSA sets forth minimum wage guidelines that affect nearly all employees, as well as overtime requirements. Under the FLSA, employees who are not exempt must be paid at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in any workweek. Although this is a simple sounding rule, it is the source of many employee complaints and lawsuits.
Under the new proposal, companies would be required to provide employee a report detailing how their pay and hours and determines in an effort to ensure companies compensate workers for overtime. Secretary Solis explained, “The idea is promoting more transparency so people can know how salaries are being calculated, [w]age theft occurs and it’s to make accountable businesses not playing by the rules.”
As further evidence of the increased enforcement, this year employers paid $6.5 million in back wages, compared to $2.6 million the year before. Despite the increased enforcement violations continues. In fact, a study released by the National Employment Law Project determined that 26% of low wage workers earned less than minimum wage and 76% did not receive overtime pay.
At our Atlanta wage and hour law firm, we are dedicated to ensuring all workers are paid the compensation they are entitled to. If you believe you have been denied the pay you deserve, contact the dedicated Georgia overtime pay lawyers at Buckley & Klein, LLP for a confidential consultation.
