Over the last year the Department of Labor (“DOL”) has done its fair share in recovering unpaid wages. Workers that had been shorted on things like minimum wages, overtime pay and other compensation benefited from the $322 million recovery that spanned from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019.
The Wage and Hour Division of the DOL, the department that secured this recovery, enforces wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”). The agency has recently been using data analytics to help them identify and focus their resources on industries and sectors that have been the most affected by unpaid wages. This new data use for the department has led them to recover record setting amounts and secure the largest possible impact. Some of the industries they have been targeting include the oil and gas industry, where they were able to recover $3.7 million in unpaid overtime earlier this year, as well as the construction industry, where $2.8 million was recovered.
Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP applauds the DOL for taking new measures in order to more efficiently tackle the never-ending labor law violations that arise under the FLSA. One of the most important things you should do as an employee is understand how you are being paid. Pay stubs may not always provide the clearest answers, so speaking to an employment attorney is always helpful. Fitapelli & Schaffer offers a free and confidential phone consultation, so to stay on top of your pay methods and see if you have any unpaid wages. You can reach us by calling (212) 300-0375 or you can visit our website for additional information.