Department of Labor recovers nearly $85K in owed wages for 32 mobile home transportation drivers, laborers misclassified as independent contractors

Summary:

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has found Paredes Inc., operating as Superior Service, in violation of federal law. The company misclassified 32 laborers and drivers as independent contractors, when in fact they are employees. As a result, Superior Service failed to pay overtime and keep required records. The investigation recovered $84,740 in owed wages. The case highlights the importance of correctly determining employee status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as misclassification can lead to unfair labor practices and financial consequences.