The U.S. Department of Labor has successfully recovered $310,193 in back wages and liquidated damages from Ulster Property Services LLC and its owner Kieran Rice. This recovery follows an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division and a consent order filed in federal court by the Office of the Solicitor.

The investigation revealed that Ulster Property Services, based in Bedford, violated several provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The violations included failing to pay overtime rates for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, underpaying one employee below minimum wage, employing a minor without a valid driver's license, and not maintaining proper payroll records.

As part of the consent judgment approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Ulster Property Services and Rice have agreed to pay back wages and liquidated damages to affected employees. Additionally, they will pay $31,920 in civil money penalties for willful wage violations and $12,330 for child labor violations.

Ulster Property Services is also required to comply with FLSA wage and recordkeeping requirements moving forward. They are prohibited from retaliating against employees or employing oppressive child labor. The company had been previously investigated by the division in 2019 and 2021.

Steven McKinney, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Manchester, stated: “Since 1938, federal law has required employers to pay overtime wages when non-exempt employees work over 40 hours in a workweek. Employers are responsible for knowing and complying with the applicable provisions of federal wage and hour law.”

Maia Fisher, Regional Solicitor of Labor in Boston added: “The U.S. Department of Labor will continue to take action in court to protect workers’ rights to their earned wages and hold employers accountable for violating the law.”

The Wage and Hour Division offers resources such as a toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) available confidentially for workers and employers with questions about their rights under labor laws.