Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Printer-Friendly Version

Press Releases

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Johnson County Emergency Medical Services of Olathe, Kan., has paid $252,420 in back wages owed to 33 lieutenants, captains, paramedics, and mediation employees. The back wage payments were made to correct violations of the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The FLSA is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“The county misapplied a section of the FLSA that provides a partial overtime exemption for employees working in fire protection or law enforcement,” explained Deann Alvarado, acting WHD district director in Kansas City. “Job duties and responsibilities must be considered in determining whether an employee is exempt or non-exempt from the overtime requirements of the FLSA.”

According to Alvarado, initially, the employer conducted an internal audit and determined that it had improperly applied the special exemption of the law. The WHD also conducted an investigation that covered the period July 26, 2003 to Nov. 5, 2005.

The FLSA requires employees to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour for all hours worked and time and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours worked more than 40 in a week. Exceptions are allowed when the employee is determined to be exempt from coverage under the FLSA. When employees work in fire protection or law enforcement, they may be paid overtime on a “work period” basis instead of on the basis of a 40-hour work week, according to Section 7(k) of the FLSA. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records.

For more information on the FLSA, call the Department of Labor’s toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also available at www.wagehour.dol.gov.

###

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.