An investigation by the United States Department of Labor has resulted in a South Carolina sheriff’s office paying deputies over $48,000 in back wages.
According to a press release, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division resulted in the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office paying six deputies $48,229 in back wages after violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The release also says Wage and Hour Division investigators found the employer of these deputies failed to record and pay deputies for all of the hours, including overtime, they worked while performing K-9 care, handling, and training duties outside of their regularly scheduled shift hours.
“This case serves as a reminder for local governments to review their pay practices to ensure they are paying employees in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act,” says Jamie Benefiel, the Wage and Hour Division District Director in Columbia. “We encourage employers to contact us with any questions they may have, and to use the wide variety of tools we offer to help them understand their obligations and to comply with the law.”
Lt. Robert Kilgo, of the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the investigation saying ““the K9 handlers were paid an additional 5% per year over their base salary to cover kennel care and training. The handlers were also paid overtime when they were called out during times they were not working their regularly scheduled shifts.”
More information about the Fair Labor Standards Act and other wage laws can be found online at www.dol.gov/whd.
