Cano Roofing, a construction company doing business as Signature Roofing in Eagle, Idaho, will pay $48,206 to 68 employees for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's overtime requirements. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division also discovered the company was in violation of several child labor laws. For the child labor violations, Cano Roofing has been assessed an additional $5,526 in civil penalties.
The company was found to have allowed a 16-year-old to perform roofing work and operate a power grinder and a 17-year-old drive and service a company truck that exceeded weight and size limitations for minor employees.
Investigators also determined Cano Roofing paid employees on a piece-rate basis, per square foot, on residential projects, resulting in violations when the employer failed to keep a record of the hours employees worked. Improper records meant Cano Roofing failed to pay employees overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek. The company also failed to pay overtime to three hourly workers and failed to pay employees for time spent on short rest breaks.
“Employers must understand and comply with child labor requirements, and provide a safe and healthy on-the-job experience when they hire young workers. Employers are also required to pay their employees all the wages they have legally earned,” Wage and Hour Seattle, Wash., district office director Thomas Silva said in a news release. “We encourage employers and employees to call us for assistance to improve their understanding of the labor standards and learn about our on-line educational tools, to avoid violations like those found in this investigation.”