NEWARK, NJ — A New Jersey medical transport company recently agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor to resolve claims that the company failed to pay dozens of workers for all their due wages, including overtime pay. As part of the agreement, Newark-based AWAB Transport Inc agreed to pay back a combined $154,404 in back wages and damages to 38 employees to settle allegations that the company violated various provisions of federal labor and wage laws.
According to an investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division, AWAB Transport Inc only paid its workers a flat, daily rate regardless of how many hours in the day the individual employee worked. As a result, drivers for the company frequently worked more than 40 hours in a week without receiving any premium overtime pay as required under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Furthermore, AWAB Transport also illegally classified salaried workers as overtime exempt and only paid these individuals a flat, weekly salary. These employees performed as administrative or supervisory duties which do not allow workers to be classified as overtime exempt by themselves.
“The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that employees receive the wages they earn for all the hours they have worked,” said John Warner, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Mountainside. “A resolution like this demonstrates the U.S. Department of Labor’s commitment to protect employees, as well as its determination to level the playing field for law-abiding employers.”
Under the FLSA, all hourly wage earners must be paid at least one and a half times their average hourly rate of pay when working more than 40 hours in a week. While the FLSA does allow certain types of workers to be classified as overtime exempt, these individuals must perform specific sets of duties described under the law. When employers violate the law, wage theft victims have the legal right to retain a private attorney to recover their back pay, damages, and attorneys fees to cover the cost of litigation.
Medical Transport Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.