Turf Specialties Inc., a Midland landscaping company, has agreed to pay $106,818 in back wages to 70 current and former landscape workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).
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Get Your Report Now!The WHD determined that Turf Specialties’ pay practices violated numerous provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company paid workers a fixed, biweekly salary that in many workweeks failed to meet the federal minimum wage, the WHD found.
The company also failed to pay overtime wages for hours worked beyond 40 per week. In addition, Turf Specialties reportedly made improper deductions from employees’ paychecks for uniforms, broken tools, and equipment damage. Investigators also found that several employees working as “crew leaders” were improperly classified as exempt.
“Workers in the landscaping industry are among the most vulnerable in the workforce,” said WHD Regional Administrator Cynthia Watson. “The Labor Department is committed to vigorously enforcing the law to ensure that all workers are paid for all hours worked, including any overtime compensation due.”
In addition to paying back wages, the company agreed to bring its pay practices into compliance with all requirements of the FLSA.