U.S. Department of Labor Recovers $27,959 in Wages for South Carolina Real Estate Developer’s Employees after Finding Overtime Violations

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), TR Sales Plantation – a real estate developer in North Augusta, South Carolina – has paid $27,959 in back wages to eight employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WHD investigators found that TR Sales Plantation paid a straight-time hourly rate to employees, regardless of the number of hours they worked. This resulted in an overtime violation when the employer failed to pay overtime to employees when they worked more than 40 hours in the workweek. In addition, the WHD investigation found that TR Sales Plantation violated the recordkeeping provision of the FLSA.

"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," said Wage and Hour District Director Jamie Benefiel, in Columbia, South Carolina. "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."

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the WHD, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers who discover overtime or minimum wage violations may self-report and resolve those violations without litigation through the PAID program. Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/whd.

WHD's mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the Nation's workforce. WHD enforces Federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable to Federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.