The Department of Labor is ordering a Pennsylvania provider to pay almost $40,000 in back wages and other damages after it allegedly shorted employees on overtime.
After a recent investigation at Bethlen Communities, officials said they found that the provider failed to include workers’ shift bonuses when it calculated overtime rates. The Ligonier, PA, continuing care retirement community must now pay 92 of its employees a total of $39,704 for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Excluding bonuses resulted in Bethlen paying OT rates that are lower than those required by law, the DOL noted. The act requires that non-exempt employees be paid at least the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, plus time and a half for work beyond 40 hours a week. Employers must also maintain accurate payroll records, DOL officials noted.
Bethlen Communities’ leaders did not immediately respond to a McKnight’s request for comment Thursday.
