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Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Press Releases
U.S. Department of Labor |
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that Akal Security Inc. has agreed to pay seven of its K-9 handlers a total of $115,056 in back wages, representing unpaid overtime compensation required under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The employer, headquartered in Espanola, N.M., contracts with the state of Hawaii to provide federally-certified explosive detection dog (K-9) handlers at the Honolulu International Airport.
“The investigation determined that Akai Security failed to pay seven K-9 handlers for their at-home care of the specially trained work dogs,” said Susana Rincon, district director for the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division in San Francisco. “In addition to the recovered back wages, the employer has paid a civil money penalty of $1,540 for repeat violations of the federal overtime requirements.”
The FLSA requires covered, nonexempt employees to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $6.55 per hour for all hours worked, and time-and-one-half their regular rates of pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records. A workweek includes all time during which an employee is necessarily required to be on the employer’s premises, on duty or at a prescribed work place. “Workday,” in general, means the period between the time on any particular day when such employee commences his/her “principal activity” and the time on that day at which he/she ceases such principal activity or activities. The workday may therefore be longer than the employee’s scheduled shift, hours, tour of duty or production line time.
For more information about the FLSA, call the Department of Labor’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov.
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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.