The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $133,000 in wages and damages for 56 landscaping workers who were denied overtime by Turf Paradise Inc., a snow removal and landscaping company based in Longmont, Colorado. The Wage and Hour Division's investigation revealed that the company improperly claimed an exemption for seasonal recreational and amusement workers, leading to the failure to pay overtime.
According to the findings, Turf Paradise Inc. paid the affected workers their base rate instead of time and one-half their regular rate-of-pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This practice violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The recovery includes $66,316 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages.
"Employers must comply with federal law and pay workers the overtime wages they are rightfully owed," said Wage and Hour District Director David Skinner in Denver. "Employers have the obligation of understanding what the law requires. If you need help with any of the laws, please call the Wage and Hour Division."
For more information about the Wage and Hour Division, including tools to check if you may be owed back wages or how to file an online complaint, employees and employers can call the agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The agency also offers a Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices to ensure hours and pay are accurate.
