RESTON, VA — A Reston, Virginia-based private security company recently agreed to pay back dozens of current and former workers to resolve claims that the company violated provisions of several federal labor and wage laws, including statutes on overtime pay. As part of the agreement, American Security Programs Inc. will pay a combined $277,306 in back wages, interest, and penalties to 61 employees working as security guards for the Internal Revenue Service facilities in Covington and Florence, Kentucky.
An investigation by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division uncovered rampant wage theft committed by American Security Programs against its employees, including violations of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standard Act (CWHSSA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These laws are crucial to ensuring workers receive all their due wages and companies be held accountable when they commit wage theft against employees.
According to the Labor Department, the defendant failed to pay employees required prevailing wages and benefits for 84 hours of mandatory training. American Security Programs also failed to pay employees for time spent working before and after their scheduled shifts performing required work duties, resulting in unpaid overtime. The investigation also determined the defendant violated the record-keeping provisions of the FLSA.
“When employers receive federal funds to provide services to the government, they must comply with all applicable laws to ensure they pay their employees the required prevailing wages,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Karen Garnett, in Louisville. “This case’s resolution also helps level the playing field for law-abiding employers.”
Under the FLSA, employers must pay workers one and a half times the individual’s average hourly rate of pay for hours spent on the job above the 40-hour overtime threshold. When companies fail to do so, workers have legal rights under the FLSA to file unpaid overtime lawsuits to recover their back pay and liquidated damages as well as attorneys fees to pay for the cost of litigating the matter.
Security Guard 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 feel 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.