Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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PEARLAND, Texas -- Kustom Kleen of Texas has paid $660,000 in back wages after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Houston Wage and Hour Division found that 766 janitorial workers had not been properly paid.

The investigation, covering Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2004, determined that Kustom Kleen of Texas, doing business as Kustom Kleen USA, violated the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company failed to pay overtime to employees who worked more than 50 hours a week. In addition, the company did not keep the required payroll records.

“We are committed to ensuring that workers are compensated fairly,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “I am very pleased that we were able to recover $660,000 in back wages for these Texas workers.”

Kustom Kleen, headquartered in Pearland, Texas, cooperated with the investigation and has agreed to future compliance. Kustom Kleen’s clients, who contract with the company for janitorial services in Texas, include Target, HEB Grocery Stores, 24-Hour Fitness Centers, and the City of Pearland. All back wages due have been paid in full by the company.

The FLSA requires employees to be paid 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.

For more information about federal overtime laws, call the Department of Labor’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or contact the Houston district office at (713) 339-5500. Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.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.