Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Printer-Friendly Version

Press Releases

BOSTON -- National Leisure Corporation, a Woburn, Mass.-based travel agency, has paid 340 employees a total of $325,588 in back wages to resolve allegations by the U.S. Department of Labor that the company had violated the overtime pay provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

"Both this investigation and our new overtime security rules reflect our commitment to protecting the overtime rights of workers," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "In this case, National Leisure employees weren't receiving their rightful overtime pay, and this Administration took action and restored $325,588 in back wages to 340 employees. The Department's new overtime security rules will increase protections for millions of workers by updating and clarifying the old regulations."

National Leisure has 25 locations throughout the U.S., including several "Vacation Outlet" and "BJ's Vacations" stores in Massachusetts.

The investigation by the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division revealed that between March 1, 2001, and April 1, 2003, employees often worked more than 40 hours in single workweeks without being compensated properly for the hours over 40.

The FLSA requires covered employees to be paid one-and-one-half times their regular rates of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. The investigation also found that the employer had misclassified some employees as "exempt" from coverage under the law.

In a settlement agreement signed by National Leisure Corporation and the Labor Department, the company represents that, since May 1, 2003, it has been in compliance with all applicable requirements of the FLSA and will continue to maintain compliance in the future.

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recovered more than $212 million in back wages in fiscal year (FY) 2003, a 21 percent increase over the record-setting amount of FY 2002. Average days to resolve a complaint decreased in FY 2003 from 129 days to 108 days. WHD assessed employers nearly $10 million in civil money penalties in FY 2003.

For more information about the requirements of the FLSA, call the Labor Department's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or contact the Boston Wage and Hour Division office at 617-624-6700. Information is also available on the Internet 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.