After an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, twelve Macon County Sheriff’s Office employees will receive a total of $104,159 in back pay. The DOL determined that the county incorrectly allowed employees to accrue more compensatory time than allowed by federal law, and so the county must now compensate these employees for the difference. As part of the settlement agreed to by the Macon County Commission, the county will begin calculating compensatory time in the way mandated by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Under the FLSA, government employees may accrue up to 240 hours of compensatory time (“comp time”) for working overtime, and law enforcement personnel may accumulate up to 480 hours of comp time. The FLSA also guarantees all employees at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour and overtime pay of at least one and one half the standard rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. There are also specific laws for state and local government employees, as well as state labor laws that may provide more protections and benefits to workers.
“Workers putting their lives on the line for the public deserve the full protection provided by federal labor laws. While we recognize that the violations committed were not willful, it is incumbent upon local governments to ensure that they comply with the FLSA for all their employees,” said Kenneth Stripling, director of the Wage and Hour Division district office in Birmingham.
As shown by this scenario, there are a multitude of ways that employers both knowingly and unknowingly violate the FLSA and state labor laws. In most cases, these violations severely injure the employees, often stripping them of deserved wages and benefits. If you believe that you may being mistreated by your employer, or that you are not receiving the compensation you deserve, do not hesitate to contact a dedicated wage and hour attorney. To receive a free case review from an experienced Morgan & Morgan overtime lawyer, simply fill out the no-risk, no-obligation consultation form on the right.