Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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CINCINNATI --

Helping Hands Healthcare, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has agreed to pay $40,473 in overtime back wages to 40 employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.

“The Labor Department is committed to vigorously enforcing the law to ensure that employees are paid all wages they are owed,” said George Victory, district director for the Wage and Hour Division’s Columbus office.

The Wage and Hour Division investigated Helping Hands Healthcare under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal minimum wage and overtime law. The investigation disclosed that 38 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, who were paid hourly rates and various incentives, did not receive time and one-half after 40 hours in a week. In addition, two salaried office workers whose duties were primarily clerical had not received time and one-half for hours worked more than 40 in a week.

The home health care provider cooperated fully with the department during the investigation. After the Wage and Hour Division explained the requirements of the law, Helping Hands Healthcare agreed to pay all back wages owed to employees. The company also agreed to comply with the federal wage and hour law in the future.

The FLSA requires that employers pay covered employees the minimum wage for all hours worked and time and one-half the regular rate of pay for hours worked more than 40 in a week. Employers must also maintain accurate time and payroll records. The FLSA provides an exemption from both minimum wage and overtime pay for bona fide executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees. To qualify for the exemption, employees generally must meet certain job duty and salary tests. Under the Labor Department’s new “Overtime Security” rules, workers earning less than $23,660 per year – or $455 per week – are guaranteed overtime protection.

For more information about the FLSA, 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 exemption for 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.