Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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PHILADELPHIA -- The Wackenhut Corporation has agreed to pay $90,467 in back wages to 145 employees working at the Limerick General Station nuclear power plant in Sanatoga, Pa. Headquartered in Miami, Fla., Wackenhut provides security services for both government and private clients nationwide.

An investigation conducted by the Philadelphia District Office of the U.S. Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division determined the security company had violated the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) when they paid workers their regular hourly rate regardless of how many hours they worked.

“It is important that employers fully understand their obligations under the law and assure that all their employees are paid proper overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Corlis Sellers.

After the Wage and Hour Division explained the requirements of the law, Wackenhut cooperated with the agency to pay the back wages due and agreed to comply with all provisions of the FLSA in the future.

The FLSA requires employers to pay workers the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, and guarantees covered non-exempt workers time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a week. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records.

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

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.