The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $101,690 in back wages and damages for 31 employees of a Houston plumbing contractor. The contractor, Amailey Plumbing LLC, was found to have paid its service technicians and apprentice helpers a salary without the necessary overtime premium for hours worked beyond 40 in a week.
The Wage and Hour Division of the department conducted an investigation and determined that Amailey Plumbing LLC misclassified these employees as salaried workers. As a result, they were not compensated with the correct overtime rate as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The division calculated that $50,845 was owed in back overtime wages, with an equal amount due in damages.
"The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to making sure every worker receives their rightfully earned wages," stated Chad Frasier, District Director of the Wage and Hour Division in Houston. He added that this case should serve as a reminder for employers to review their pay practices to prevent costly compliance issues.
Amailey Plumbing LLC, established in 2008, provides various plumbing services within the Houston area including new home construction plumbing work, routine system cleaning, maintenance, repair services, and emergency responses.
For those interested in learning more about wage recovery or needing assistance with potential back wages collected by the division, there is a search tool available on their website. Workers and employers can also contact the division's helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Additionally, there is a free Timesheet App available for iOS and Android devices to help ensure accurate tracking of hours and pay.
