Protecting Essential Workers
The Wage and Hour Division is committed to protecting and enhancing the welfare of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, provide critical worker protections regarding wages and hours worked and job-protected leave during the pandemic.
$100K in Damages for Josue
“I thank DOL, not only for their quick action but for the support the investigator offered, assuring me that something could be done to protect me and my family since I exercised my right to be paid fair wages.” — Josue Siqueira

Back Wages by Industry
We work hard to ensure working people in the U.S. receive the wages and protections they've earned and that their work is respected. The following back wages are from FY 2021.







Essential Workers, Essential Protections

$7,600 for Linnie
Employee, Linnie Lynch, contacted the Division to report her employer, AM-PM Express in Griffin, GA, failed to pay proper wages by only paying up to 39 hours per week and paid a flat amount of $312 per week, regardless of actual hours worked, for work being performed as a Deli Worker. The employee was determined to be due $4,700 in minimum wage and $2,900 in overtime compensation.

$138K+ in Overtime Wages for 100 Seafood Industry Workers
OSHA conducted a whistleblower investigation involving seafood processing company Acadia Processors, LLC, located in Crowley, LA and eventually made a referral to WHD’s New Orleans District Office concerning potential overtime violations. The employer had failed to pay accurate half-time premiums to workers paid on a piece-rate basis. It was determined the employer’s overtime payment failures affected 100 vulnerable workers and the employer agreed to payment of $138,629.84 in overtime wages.

WHD investigations in fiscal year 2021 found, on average, $1,211.70 for each employee due back wages. For retail cashiers, that means more than three times what they would earn in a typical workweek. Imagine how challenging it would be if you weren’t compensated for three weeks of work. That’s the reality for many workers who don’t get paid what they have earned.
What Does $1,211.70 Mean
$1,211.70 represents multiple weekly paychecks to typical workers in many industries*

(*based upon BLS data for median wage rates and weekly hours per occupation)

7+ Weeks of Food
at $165/week

3+ Months of Utilities
at $354/month

1 Month of Rent
at $1,080/month

7+ Weeks of Child Care
at $168/week
(*based upon BLS data for median wage rates and weekly hours per occupation)
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