July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Recovers $153,740 in Back Wages and Damages for Employees at Tennessee Restaurant

CHATTANOOGA, TN – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Chattanooga Restaurant Group LLC – operating as City Café Diner – will pay $153,740 in back wages and liquidated damages to 46 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in South Florida Delivery Company Paying $64,027 in Wages

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), ASAP Courier & Logistics LLC – based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – has paid $64,027 in back wages to 160 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Tennessee Senior Living Facility Paying $91,727 in Back Wages, Damages, and Penalties

HENDERSONVILLE, TN – Hearth Management LLC – the operator of a senior living and memory care facility in Hendersonville, Tennessee – has paid $81,008 in back wages and liquidated damages to 38 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid a $10,719 civil money penalty for repeated violations.

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $51,623 for Employees After Finding Boca Raton Engineering Contractor Violated Federal Overtime Regulations

BOCA RATON, FL – EMS Site Development LLC - a Boca Raton, Florida, engineering contractor – has paid $51,623 in wages to 61 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $34,538 for Employee Terminated Unlawfully By South Carolina Auto Manufacturer

LAURENS, SC – Alupress LLC – a manufacturing subsidiary of Alupress AG based in Laurens, South Carolina – has paid $34,538 to a former employee after the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) found the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Company for Exposing Employees To Amputations and Other Safety Hazards

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Jimmie Crowder Excavating and Land Clearing Inc. for exposing employees to amputation and other safety hazards at the company's facility in Tallahassee, Florida. The demolition and excavating company faces $81,833 in penalties.

July 18, 2019

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report

In the week ending July 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 216,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 209,000 to 208,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, a decrease of 250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 219,250 to 219,000.  

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Southern California Company Paying Employees $58,815 for H-1B Visa Program Violations

LOS ANGELES, CALogin Consulting Services Inc. – a staffing and recruitment company based in El Segundo, California – has paid $58,815 to two employees after a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found violations of the H-1B foreign labor certification program.

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers of the Dangers of Heat Illness

BOSTON, MA – As temperatures rise in New England, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to protect their employees from the dangers of working in hot weather.

OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes, and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Employers should:

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Global Packaging Manufacturer After Employee Suffers Severe Steam Burns in Queen City, Texas

QUEEN CITY, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Graphic Packaging International LLC – an Atlanta, Georgia-based paper product manufacturer – for exposing employees to hot steam, and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines.

July 17, 2019

Illinois Employer to Pay $573,836 in Wages to 215 Employees In Settlement After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

STERLING, IL – Rock River Valley Self Help Enterprises Inc. – based in Sterling, Illinois – will pay 215 current and former employees with disabilities nearly $574,000 in back wages as part of its agreement to resolve issues uncovered by a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Asheville, North Carolina, Resort in Violation of H-2B Guest Worker Program

ASHEVILLE, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Biltmore Co. – operating as Biltmore Workforce Management Inc. and based in Asheville, North Carolina – has paid $6,938 in back wages to a U.S. applicant for violating labor provisions of the H-2B visa program. The employer also paid a civil penalty of $24,076 assessed by WHD.

July 17, 2019

Ohio Health Care Provider Pays $230,696 in Overtime Back Wages To 74 Employees after U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

COLUMBUS, OH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Good Hands Supported Living LTD – based in Columbus, Ohio – has paid $230,696 in back wages to 74 employees. WHD found the rehabilitation center and home health care agency violated the Fair Labor Standards Act's (FLSA) overtime and recordkeeping provisions.

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards $85.9 Million for Reentry Projects

WASHINGTON, DC – In its latest effort to ensure that individuals returning to the labor force from the justice system have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced approximately $85.9 million in Reentry Project grants awarded to 45 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Missouri Contractor For Exposing Employees to Trench Engulfment Hazards

ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited R.V. Wagner Inc. – based in Affton, Missouri – for exposing employees to trench engulfment hazards as they installed concrete storm water pipes on Stable Road in St. Louis, Missouri. OSHA proposed penalties of $212,158 for violations of its trench safety standards.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor to Offer Compliance Assistance Training for Employers Participating in H-2A and H-2B Visa Certification, July 26

LAFAYETTE, LA – On July 26, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will hold a compliance seminar in Lafayette, Louisiana.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Oklahoma Manufacturer Exposed Employees to Serious Workplace Hazards

PRYOR, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited HE&M Inc., a Pryor, Oklahoma-based metalworking band saw manufacturer, for exposing employees to fall, machine guarding, struck-by, and electrical hazards. HE&M faces penalties totaling $187,533.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Additional Funding to North Carolina For Continued Hurricane Florence Recovery

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today approved additional funding for a Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) awarded to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The funding allows for assessing workforce needs in response to Hurricane Florence, which hit the state in September 2018.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Awards Dislocated Worker Grant to Illinois For Jobs and Employment Services in Response to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for up to $5,600,000 with $1,866,667 released initially. This grant will provide disaster-relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in Illinois impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

July 15, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and Public To Be Aware of Hazards After Hurricane Barry

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Barry to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.