The U.S. Department of Labor has successfully recovered $594,313 in back wages and damages for 419 workers following a federal investigation into a Leesburg-based employer's failure to properly compensate employees for overtime work.
The department’s Wage and Hour Division conducted an investigation that revealed Amtex-NMS Inc., operating as Southeast Modular Manufacturing, was in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime provision. The company did not pay its workers time-and-a-half their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This issue arose from the company's rounding methods, which improperly reduced recorded hours, leading to unpaid overtime.
Additionally, investigators found that the employer violated federal recordkeeping requirements by not maintaining complete and accurate records of workers’ wages and hours.
“Some employers use a pay method referred to as rounding to produce even and balanced calculations of hours worked. While it can be a useful tool, it is the responsibility of all employers to ensure the use of rounding in their time systems is balanced and does not always round in the employer’s favor,” stated Wage and Hour Division District Director Vilma Bell in Orlando, Florida. “We encourage all workers and employers to contact their nearest Wage and Hour Division office with any questions regarding their rights and obligations under the law.”
Further information about the Wage and Hour Division, along with resources on workers' rights, including a search tool for potential back wages owed by the division, is available online.
Both workers and employers can ensure accurate tracking of hours worked by using the department’s free Timesheet App available for Android and iPhone. For further assistance or inquiries regarding wage-related issues, individuals can reach out to the Wage and Hour Division through its toll-free number at 1-866-4-US-WAGE (487-9243).
