The U.S. Department of Labor has finalized a settlement with Rhode Island's Kent County Memorial Hospital and Care New England Health System. This agreement secures $1.9 million in back wages and liquidated damages for 853 healthcare workers who were not compensated properly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An investigation by the Hartford District Office of the department’s Wage and Hour Division revealed that the hospital automatically deducted 30-minute breaks from employees' hours, even though staffing demands prevented them from taking these breaks. Consequently, some employees worked over 40 hours a week without receiving appropriate overtime pay.
Jessica Looman, Wage and Hour Administrator, stated, “The Wage and Hour Division is eager to return the $1.9 million in wages and liquidated damages we recovered to the workers who put their needs second and delivered essential care to the many people in Rhode Island who suffered during the pandemic.” She added that such resolutions enable affected workers to promptly receive their owed wages.
Additionally, due to willful violations, $100,000 in civil money penalties was collected from both the hospital and Care New England Health System. The settlement covers violations from July 30, 2019, through December 31, 2022. As part of this agreement, significant changes have been made to timekeeping practices at the hospital to prevent future infractions against federal recordkeeping requirements.
In fiscal year 2024 alone, the Wage and Hour Division completed 2,376 investigations within healthcare industries across the nation. These efforts led to recovering more than $37 million in back wages for nearly 30,000 workers.
For further information about potential wage claims or inquiries related to wage issues regardless of immigration status, individuals can contact the division confidentially via their toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Additionally, a Timesheet App is available for download on iOS and Android devices in English and Spanish to help ensure accurate tracking of work hours and pay.
