Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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JOPLIN, Mo. -- Railroad Salvage and Restoration Inc., a railroad construction and maintenance company, paid back wages totaling $13,190 to 39 employees following a U.S. Labor Department investigation that found violations of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company paid an additional $16,830 in civil money penalties for repeat violations of the act.

The department’s Wage and Hour Division district office in Kansas City conducted the investigation, covering the period from Oct. 4, 2002 through Sept. 30, 2004. District Director Karen Chaikin said, “Road crew employees were paid a straight hourly rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 per week. The overtime hours were paid separately and not recorded with the regular work hours.” According to Chaikin, this was the firm’s second investigation.

The FLSA requires employers to pay employees the federal minimum wage for all hours worked and time and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a week, unless the employee is exempt from overtime pay. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records.

For more information about the FLSA, call the department's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov. Information about the current exemption for while-collar executive, administrative and professional employees can be found on the Internet at www.dol.gov/fairpay.

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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.