Katelyn Walker Mooney Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy | Official Website
An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has resulted in Liberty Hill Equity Partners LLC paying $56,884 in back wages and damages to 234 employees. The Cincinnati-based company, which operates Precision Vehicle Holdings in Michigan and the Fort Wayne Rail Yard in Indiana, was found to have miscalculated overtime pay by not including non-discretionary bonuses in employees' regular rate of pay. This oversight constitutes a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The investigation initially focused on payroll records for workers in Michigan and Indiana but has since expanded to cover all hourly nonexempt employees at ten locations across Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Liberty Hill Equity Partners LLC, originally founded as Hatfield Coal Company in 1882, became River Trading Company in 2014 before rebranding to its current name in 2019.
"Inaccurate overtime calculations are among the most common violations identified in our investigations," stated Aaron Loomis, Wage and Hour District Director based in Indianapolis. He advised employers to seek assistance from the Wage and Hour Division or review online compliance materials to avoid similar issues.
The Department of Labor offers resources for understanding overtime pay regulations and provides tools for those who believe they may be owed back wages. Confidential compliance assistance is available through their helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Additionally, a Timesheet App is available for iOS and Android devices to help ensure accurate tracking of hours worked.
