Southlake landscaping company failed to pay $100K in overtime to 38 employees, feds say
The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $103,665 in back wages for 38 employees who were denied overtime pay by a Southlake landscaping company, according to a news release.
The company misclassified the employees as independent contractors, according to the release.
Employees are entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standard Act and other benefits or protections to which they are entitled by law, according to the Department of Labor.
The Southlake-based company, J.P. Above & Beyond Landscaping, violated the act by failing to pay its workers the time and a half rate of pay for over 40 hours in a workweek. The company also failed to keep accurate records, according to the release.
The landscaping company provides lawn maintenance services, landscaping and irrigation services.
A contact with the company told the Star-Telegram in a phone call they were unaware of the charges and were the only employee working at J.P. Above & Beyond Landscaping.
Jesus A. Valdez, director for the Dallas Wage and Hour District Division, encourages employees to use the Department of Labor’s online tools or contact the department to learn the laws governing pay practices.
Employees can use the Wage and Hour Division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool to determine if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Employees and workers can contact the division confidentially for help at 1-866-487-9243.
For more information about employee misclassification, visit the Department of Labor website.
This story was originally published September 3, 2024 at 3:17 PM.
