Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As Spring approaches, the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division reminds Central North Carolina-area lawn maintenance and landscaping employers of their obligation to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Because of widespread non-compliance with recordkeeping and overtime provisions of the FLSA during 2004, the lawn maintenance and landscaping industry will be a focus of the Wage and Hour Division’s educational and investigative activities in 2005.

Last year, investigators determined that only three of 16 randomly selected employers were in compliance with the law. Between Oct. 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2004, employers in this low-wage industry paid $243,774 in back wages to 658 workers.

“The most common violations found were failing to pay overtime and to record all hours worked by employees,” said John Blaine, Charlotte’s Wage and Hour district director.

Blaine encouraged companies to review the information packets mailed to them and to implement necessary changes to come into compliance with the law. To receive these materials or to request assistance, contact the Charlotte Wage and Hour Division office located at 800 Briar Creek Rd., Suite CC-412; phone: (704) 344-6302.

The FLSA requires covered employees to be paid at least the minimum wage for all hours worked and time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 per week. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records. In addition, the FLSA sets standards for the employment of youth under age 18.

The Wage and Hour Division recovered nearly $200 million in back wages in fiscal year (FY) 2004 for more than 288,000 workers. Average days to resolve a complaint decreased in FY 2004 from 108 days to 92 days.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, call the toll-free information line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or visit the agency’s web site at www.wagehour.dol.gov. For information about youth employment laws visit www.youthrules.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.