Department of Labor recovers $120K in back wages, damages for 60 workers from Las Vegas HVAC, plumbing employer who failed to pay overtime

Summary:

An investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has uncovered a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violation by J&K Repair Services LLC, an air-conditioning and plumbing repair company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The investigation found that the company intentionally denied 60 employees their full pay by illegally paying them straight-time rates for overtime hours worked, rather than the required overtime premium.

The investigation revealed that J&K Repair Services was aware of the legal overtime requirements, as they sometimes paid workers their earned overtime, but deprived others of their rightful overtime wages. This unlawful practice led to a significant amount of unpaid overtime wages and damages totaling $60,444 for the affected employees. Additionally, the company was issued a civil money penalty of $30,000.

The Wage and Hour Division’s District Director, Higinio Ramos, emphasized that all employers, regardless of their industry or payment structure, must respect employees’ rights to be paid as fully as the law requires. The Department of Labor has made it clear that it will hold employers accountable when they fail to fulfill their legal responsibilities, ensuring that workers receive the compensation they are owed.

The investigation was prompted by a determination that the company had knowingly excluded some employees from receiving overtime pay, despite the fact that they were entitled to it. The investigation was conducted in accordance with the FLSA, which requires employers to pay non-exempt employees at least 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.

The outcome of the investigation underscores the importance of employers adhering to labor laws and regulations to ensure fair compensation for their employees. For further information on back wages recovered by the Wage and Hour Division, workers can use the department’s search tool or call the office confidentially with questions, regardless of their immigration status, and in over 200 languages.