ORLANDO — Major security services provider Universal Protection Services was named in a compensation class action lawsuit brought against them by security guards under their employment. More specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Universal’s actions regarding employee compensation was in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Plaintiffs in the case claim that they were not paid for all the hours they were actually required to work. Security guards employed by Universal reported being required to perform pre- and post-shift duties for every shift. These duties required employees to remain on duty for time outside of their scheduled on-the-clock shift, but were not compensated for this time.
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and was settled in 2016 before an active trial began.
What Type Of Company Is Universal Protection Services?
The protection branch of Universal Services of America was founded in 1969 as one of the first security organizations to utilize the services of former police officers. The company faced an ownership readjustment in 2000 with major expansion efforts following soon after.
Universal Services of America now employs nearly 80,000 individuals and is reportedly worth $2.5 billion.
What Rules Did Universal Protection Services Break?
The Fair Labor Standards Act has a security guard specific fact sheet to address the major problems that often plague security guards and their treatment by employers.
Of the noted rules, Universal Protection did not acknowledge the stipulations that constitute working time for security employees. The FLSA states that guards must be paid for travel time between sites and all preparation work associated with effectively working a shift.
In breaking these major FLSA rules, Universal was responsible for compensating their employees for the lost wages that occurred due to their failure to pay overtime benefits.
Who Should I Contact For An Overtime Pay Lawsuit?
Many employees are being unlawfully denied wages by employers. If you feel that you fit this description, you should call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page.