The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is conducting a multi-year enforcement initiative focusing on the gas station industry in New Jersey. During 2011, the division conducted 74 investigations of gas station facilities throughout the state, recovering $1,014,895 in back wages for 295 workers who were denied fair compensation for their work.
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Get Your Report Now!Sixty-nine of the establishments investigated were BP branded. Non-BP stations whose owners also had BP stations were found to have similar violations. WHD allegedly found several common violations, including:
- Paying workers below the federal minimum wage;
- Paying a flat salary or "straight time" wages for all hours worked, without regard to overtime requirements; and
- Paying cash wages "off the books," rather than maintaining accurate records of employees' wages, work hours and employment conditions, as required under the FLSA.
After being notified of the violations, BP Products North America Inc. issued a letter to each of its marketers in New York and New Jersey, reminding them of their legal responsibilities under the FLSA and encouraging them to review their pay practices and ensure compliance under the law.
To assess compliance with all applicable labor standards among facility owners, operators, franchisees and other business entities associated with these establishments, the WHD is conducting thorough inspections of payroll records and employment practices, as well as employee interviews. Other strategies include unannounced facility investigations; morning, evening and weekend surveillance of employers that might be committing violations; and involving the Labor Department's attorneys early in developing cases to pursue possible litigation.
In addition, the division is conducting outreach to employer and employee associations, community organizations, government agencies, unions and other stakeholders to engage their participation in promoting industrywide compliance with federal laws. The initiative is being led by the division's Northern New Jersey District Office; telephone 908-317-8611.