Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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CLEVELAND --

Cleveland-based Flight Services and Systems Inc. has paid $120,000 in back wages to 76 employees following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation that found violations of the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

“The Labor Department is committed to ensuring that workers, especially low-wage workers, are paid all the wages due them under the law,” said George Victory, district director for the Wage and Hour Division in Columbus.

An investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that, between April 2003 and April 2005, 31 employees received less than the federal minimum wage resulting in minimum wage violations of $117,232. Two employees were due $2,767 for overtime pay violations, and 74 of the workers had not received reimbursement for required uniform expenses.

The FLSA requires payment of the minimum wage and of overtime at time and one-half an employee’s regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 per week. The FLSA also contains record keeping requirements and youth employment standards.

The FLSA does not require that employees wear uniforms but, if wearing a uniform is required, its cost and maintenance are considered a business expense of the employer. If the employer requires the employee to bear the cost, it may not reduce the employee's wage below the minimum wage or cut into overtime compensation.

The workers due back wages provided services, such as curbside check-in, baggage handling, document verifying and mobility assistance for Continental passengers. Both Continental Airlines and Flight Services agreed to future compliance without admitting any violations of the FLSA.

For more information, call the Department of Labor’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.