DOL Increases Wage and Hour Enforcement

In response to a report released Sept. 2, which found that violations of minimum wage, overtime and other employment rules were common amongst workers in low-wage industries, the U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis warned employers about increased wage and hour enforcement.

In a statement, Solis said: “There is no excuse for the disregard of federal labor standards—especially those that are designed to protect the neediest among us. I am committed to the vigorous enforcement of our laws and will make use of the full weight of my authority to find and prosecute violators.

“During the first six months of this year, the Department of Labor already has recovered more than $82 million in back wages for nearly 107,000 minimum-wage workers,” she noted, adding that she plans to hire 250 wage and hour investigators by the end of 2010 to monitor wage and hour violations.

The report’s release brought renewed attention to Department of Labor’s existing pledge to focus on worker’s rights. According to the report, those employed in apparel and textile manufacturing, personal and repair services, and private households were most likely to be paid less than the minimum wage, with child-care workers most affected.

NFIB members who would like additional information on wage and hour laws should consult the NFIB Wage and Hour Handbook for Small Business, a valuable publication available free to NFIB members.