Lacey contractor ensnared in federal investigation of residential builders
A Lacey company found in violation of the Fair Labor Standard Act says it didn't underpay anyone; rather, it did not properly track employees' hours.
On Thursday the U.S. Department of Labor announced that an ongoing initiative to investigate residential builders in Washington found window, siding and roofing company Northern Pacific Exterior "recklessly" failed to pay workers overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek.
The investigation led to the recovery of $69,963 in overtime back wages plus an additional $69,963 in liquidated damages for the affected employees. In addition, the department's Wage and Hour Division assessed $7,050 in civil money penalties due to the reckless nature of the violations. Thirty-nine workers were affected, according to a Labor Department news release.
The company said in a statement it disagrees with the department’s "incorrect assumptions and findings and disagree with the hyperbolic language used in its promotional and sensationalized press release. Northern Pacific was absolutely not reckless in any way.”
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/03/20/lacey-contractor-federal-investigation.html