TAMPA, FL — Eleven Florida roofing companies recently agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve claims the business violated several provisions of federal labor and wage laws, including failure to pay overtime wages to hundreds of workers. As part of the agreement, the companies will pay a combined $239,893 in back wages and liquidated damages to 259 current and former employees.
An investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that the roofing companies violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) when it failed to pay workers one and a half times the individuals’ average hourly rate of pay for overtime wages. Furthermore, the defendants in the case violated the recordkeeping provisions of the FLSA when they failed to provide accurate records detailing all of the hours worked and wages earned by employees.
“Employers must understand their obligations and responsibilities under the law. Pay practices must comply with the law,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director James Schmidt, in Tampa. “We encourage all employers to make use of the many tools the Department of Labor provides to help them understand and comply with the law, and to call us for assistance.”
Unfortunately, this type of wage theft is an all too common occurrence in the construction industry where companies attempt to compete in the industry by keeping overhead down at the expense of workers. However, there can be no justification for non-compliance with federal wage laws and withholding duly owed wages from hardworking people.
While the Labor Department cannot investigate every single instance of wage theft to help recover back pay and damages for workers, the FLSA does give workers the right to retain a private attorney and file unpaid overtime lawsuits in federal court. The FLSA allows wage theft victims to recover up to three years of unpaid wages with interest, liquidated damages equal to back pay, and attorneys fees to cover the cost of litigation.
Roofing Worker Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.