SOUTHLAKE, Texas — The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $103,665 in back wages after J.P. Above & Beyond Landscaping from Southlake, Texas, reportedly misclassified 38 employees as independent contractors.
Due to this misclassification, the employees labeled as independent contractors were unable to attain overtime pay.
According to a press release from the Department of Labor, the Wage and Hour Division determined that the landscaping company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act. The violation specified was failing to pay time and one-half for employees working overtime.
"Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is a serious problem that deprives workers of their hard-earned wages, benefits and protections," Wage and Hour Division District Director Jesus A. Valdez said. "J.P. Above & Beyond has learned there are costly consequences for their violations."
WFAA reached out to Above & Beyond Landscaping for comment. However, we have yet to receive a response.
The U.S. Department of Labor reminds workers that they can use the Wage and Hour Division's Workers Owed Wages search tool to check and see if they are owed back any wages collected by the division. To view the tool, visit here.
