DOL: Real Estate Developer Guilty Of Wage Theft

North Augusta, SC (WorkersCompensation.com)- A South Carolina real estate developer had to pay $27,959 in back wages to eight employees for violating overtime wages in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Vision (WHD) discovered that TR Sales Plantation had paid regular straight-time hours to a number of employees, even when they were working overtime.

The investigation also uncovered the fact that the company was violating the recordkeeping provision of the FLSA. While the agency would not disclose the reason for the investigation, a spokesperson did tell WorkersCompensation.com that "No previous case history was found for this employer."

This case was handled administratively, and in a press release Jamie Benefield, the Wage and Hour District Director in Columbia South Carolina stated "The results of this investigation should serve as an opportunity for other employers in this industry to examine their pay practices to ensure that they comply with federal law. The U.S. Department of Labor encourages all employers and employees to contact us with any questions they may have and to make use of the valuable resources we provide to help them understand their rights and obligations under the law. Violations like those found in this case can be avoided."

The news about TR Sales Plantation comes as the DOL announced a record year in recovered wages for workers. The WHD recovered $332 million in wages owed to workers in Fiscal Year 2019, the DOL announced.

“We are delivering a level playing field for employers and employees alike,” said WHD Administrator Cheryl Stanton. “We are delivering more back wages for workers than ever before, and we are steadfastly eliminating any unfair economic advantage employers may try to gain by skirting the rules. We are protecting those who do the right thing, pay their employees what they have legally earned, and operate in compliance.”

Share This Article: