Favorite Healthcare Staffing Inc. is paying nearly $3.1 million in back wages to 1,677 contract employees hired to conduct coronavirus testing in Orlando, Florida, after several payroll payments to the workers were missed in June and July, the US Department of Labor reported.

The missing payments resulted in violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the department.

Favorite Healthcare Staffing released this statement in response:

"We were dismayed to see the article published by the DOL. The article contains both inaccurate and misleading information. We immediately contacted multiple people at the DOL requesting a retraction. Favorite did make some payments after the normal payroll date, due to late time sheets and/or logistical errors, but did not miss payroll. In addition, all payments were made voluntarily by Favorite and not under the terms of any agreement with the DOL. In fact, Favorite has not entered into an agreement with the DOL."

Favorite Healthcare Staffing is based in Overland Park, Kansas.