Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- New Hanover Regional Medical Center has paid over $1,336,000 in back wages to more than 3,400 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor determined that the Wilmington hospital violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

“The Bush Administration is committed to ensuring that workers receive all the wages they have earned,” said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “We are very pleased to have recovered over $1.3 million for these 3,400 employees of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center.”

An investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that the hospital failed to pay employees in all departments for time worked before and after scheduled hours and for lunch breaks of less than 30 minutes. The re-calculation of hours worked resulted in $1,311,295 in back overtime wages for 3,427 employees.

The Wage and Hour investigation also found that one employee, covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act, had been wrongfully terminated and was entitled to $24,921 in back wages.

The FLSA requires that covered workers be paid at least the federal minimum wage. It also requires that workers are paid one-and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a single work week. Employers must also maintain accurate records of employees’ wages, hours and other conditions of employment.

Under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act, covered and eligible employees are entitled to unpaid leave for certain medical conditions and job restoration following the approved leave.

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, the FMLA and other laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, call the department’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243); visit the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov; or contact the Raleigh Wage and Hour Division office located at Somerset Park II, 4407 Bland Rd., Suite 260, phone (919) 790-2742.

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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.