CWS 3.0: March 27, 2013

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Printing Company Repays Misclassified ICs

A printing company paid $31,863 in back wages to 69 employees after an investigation found that workers were improperly classified as independent contractors during a 90-day probationary period, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour division reported last week.

The division also assessed the company, H&W Printing Inc., civil penalties of $7,741 for repeat violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, the division found violations of the Family Medical Leave Act.

H&W Printing is based in Marietta, Ga.

“Far too often, employers misclassify their employees as independent contractors to avoid paying them in compliance with the [Fair Labor Standards Act], as well as other federal, state and local statutes,” said Caryl Stribling, acting director of the Wage and Hour Division’s Atlanta District Office. “Misclassification costs taxpayers enormous sums of money each year in uncollected employment taxes, and gives unscrupulous employers an unfair advantage.”