The township was found to be in violation of the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act by investigators who determined that the township failed to pay employees required overtime wages specifically for time spent working before their shifts officially began.
The township was also found to have violated overtime rules by paying some firefighters at straight-time rates for overtime hours worked and some police officers straight time for hours spent in training which resulted in overtime workweeks.
“Employers must pay their employees all the wages they have legally earned, and must understand the laws that apply to specific employment situations, such as, in this case, those that govern pay for public safety employees,” said
“The outcome of this investigation should remind other employers to review their pay practices to ensure they comply with the law. Employers are encouraged to contact the Wage and Hour Division to better understand their responsibilities so that they can avoid violations,” he added.
Investigators from the wage and hour division will return to the township to ensure compliance with the findings and ensure that police and fire personnel, along with other township workers who are paid on an hourly basis are punching a time clock to record the exact hours they are on shift.
