Peoria, Ariz.-based construction contractor Younger Brothers Companies will pay $723,764 to 271 workers after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Investigators determined the company violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to an agency news release.
Wage and Hour Division investigators found Younger Brothers Companies failed to pay employees required overtime rates when they worked greater than 40 hours in a workweek. The employer additionally failed to include production bonuses and commissions in employees’ regular rates when computing overtime rates. As a result, workers were paid overtime at rates far lower than those required by law. Investigators also determined in some cases the company failed to make any overtime payments on hours worked beyond 40 hours for certain employees. The failure to record the unpaid overtime hours resulted in recordkeeping violations for the company.
“Employers are responsible for ensuring that they pay employees all the wages they have legally earned and for keeping accurate records of their hours,” said Wage and Hour Division Phoenix, Ariz., district director Eric Murray. “The U.S. Department of Labor provides many tools to help employers comply with the law. The results of this investigation should encourage other employers to examine their pay practices. Violations like those found in this case can be avoided.”