Department of Labor recovers over $66K in back wages for 20 workers after finding overtime, minimum wage violations at six Napa Auto Parts locations

Employer: Bellinger Parts Group Inc., operating as NAPA Auto Parts

Corporate location:  NAPA Auto Parts, 160 Bentree Lane, Florence, SC 29501                                

Sites investigated: NAPA Auto Parts, 612 Pearl St. Darlington, SC 29532

NAPA Auto Parts, 913 Highway 301 N. Dillon, SC 29536

NAPA Auto Parts, 116 3rd Loop Road Effingham, SC 29505

NAPA Auto Parts, 160 Bentree Lane Florence SC 29501

NAPA Auto Parts, 1016 S 5th St. Hartsville, SC 29550

NAPA Auto Parts, 1806 E. Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571

Investigation findings: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigators found that Bellinger Parts Group Inc. — who operates the businesses as NAPA Auto Parts stores — made illegal deductions from employees’ pay at six South Carolina locations for store damage, cash register shortages and uniforms. These deductions caused some workers’ pay to fall below the $7.25 per hour federal minimum wage for all hours worked, a Fair Labor Standards Act violation.

Bellinger Parts Group also failed to pay non-exempt salary counter salespeople and delivery drivers overtime for hours over 40 in a workweek. Investigators also learned the employer did not include non-discretionary sales bonuses in some employees’ regular rate when calculating correct overtime rates, causing Bellinger Parts Group to pay overtime premiums at rates lower than required by law.

Back wages recovered: The division recovered $66,322 in back wages for 20 workers.                                               

Quote: “Employers who deny workers their full earnings make it harder for employees to provide for themselves and their families and give these employers an unfair advantage over law-abiding competitors,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel in Columbia, South Carolina. “Other employers should use the outcome of this investigation as a reminder to review their pay practices to make certain they avoid violations that have costly consequences.”

Background: Employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including its search tool to learn if you are owed back wages collected by the division and industry-specific toolkits, like the auto repair and maintenance compliance toolkit.

Keep track of hours and wages with the Wage and Hour’s new Timesheet App for Apple and android devices, available in English and Spanish.