Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Press Releases
U.S. Department of Labor |
|
Downey-based home nursing agency agrees to pay more than $654,000 in back wages to 108 nurses following US Labor Department investigation
Extended Health Care violated federal overtime and record-keeping provisions
WEST COVINA, Calif. -- Downey-based Extended Health Care Inc. has agreed to pay $654,082 in back wages to 108 current and former registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division that determined the home nursing services provider violated the Fair Labor Standard Act’s overtime and record-keeping provisions.
“All employees deserve full and fair compensation for all hours worked,” said Priscilla Garcia, director of the Wage and Hour Division’s West Covina District Office. “This action to restore more than half a million dollars in back wages reflects the department’s commitment to protect the overtime rights of these workers.”
The FLSA requires that covered employees be paid time and one-half their regular hourly rates of pay for hours worked beyond 40 for each week. Additionally, the law requires employers to maintain accurate time and payroll records.
The division found that some employees were paid “straight time” for all hours worked, including hours in excess of 40 per week, instead of time and one-half their regular rates for overtime hours. Additionally, several of the longest-tenured employees were only paid time and one-quarter for overtime hours; some employees received an overtime rate of time and one-half but only for hours worked beyond 80 in the biweekly payroll period, rather than for hours worked beyond 40 in one week as required; and some employees were misclassified as independent contractors, which resulted in a lack of required wage deductions for taxes or other withholdings. Extended Health Care also failed to keep accurate records of wages paid to employees.
Extended Health Care Inc., which does business as EHC Private Duty Nursing, dispatches nurses to patients’ homes for direct skilled nursing care. The company currently employs approximately 70 workers. Following the investigation, the company signed a settlement agreement with the department, and agreed to future compliance and to pay the back wages in full.
For more information about the FLSA or other federal labor laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, call the division’s West Covina office at 626-966 0478 or its toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at http://www.dol.gov/whd.
###
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.
