The Department of Labor recently announced that its Wage and Hour Division collected almost $197 million in back wages for fiscal year 2004.
Enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act netted $165,383,781, while enforcement of the Family and Medical Leave Act netted $2,311,781. Although down from the record of $212 million for FY 2003, the FY 2004 figure represents a 49 percent increase since 2001.
Much of the increase has come from the Wage and Hour Division’s efforts on behalf of employees working in nine targeted industries, including the health care industry, the hotel and motel industry, and the temporary help industry. There has been a 33 percent increase in back wages collected for employees working in low-wage industries.
While the number of FMLA violation complaints is up 20 percent since 2001, the back wages collected for violations has decreased 22.5 percent for that period. The Division attributes the fact that over half the complaints result in a finding that no violation has occurred to a need to further educate employees on their rights under the Act. On a positive note, the Division also sees signs that the level of compliance among employers has increased.
To ensure you are prepared to successfully face complex wage and hour challenges, attend Council’s FLSA and State Wage and Hour Update, which will provide you with best practices for complying with the FLSA and your state’s wage and hour laws. Click on the link above for more information, including a detailed agenda, dates, and locations.