TIPTON — The City of Tipton paid $91,924 in back wages to 15 firefighters after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor found violations of the overtime requirements in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The department's Labor's Wage and Hour Division found the city didn't pay overtime to firefighters who worked more than 106 hours in a two-week period, according to a press release from the department.
Employers are allowed to pay fire protection and law enforcement employees overtime for a work period, ranging anywhere from seven to 28 consecutive days, instead of the standard seven-day workweek, according to the release. Fire protection employees are due overtime after working 106 hours in a 14-day period.
“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 those that govern pay for public safety employees,” said Indianapolis Wage and Hour Division District Director Patricia Lewis, in the release. “Employers should review their pay practices to ensure they comply with the law. We encourage employers to contact the Wage and Hour Division to better understand their responsibilities.”
WRTV reached out to the Tipton mayor's office by phone and email late-Thursday afternoon for a comment on the investigation and is awaiting a response.
You can learn more information about the Fair Labor Standards Act for law enforcement and fire protection employees hereand watch videos here.
