US Department of Labor recovers $170K in wages, damages after investigation finds Bakersfield construction company denied 74 employees overtime pay

Summary:

Universal Welding and Construction Inc. (UWCI) has failed to pay 74 workers overtime rates for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division investigation has recovered $85,004 in unpaid overtime wages and $85,004 in liquidated damages, as well as $34,954 in civil money penalties. The investigation highlights the importance of employers paying their workers all the wages they have earned, including overtime.