Wage and Hour Investigation Questions: What to Know?
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor (DOL) is authorized to enforce federal minimum wages, recordkeeping, overtime pay, promised wages, and child labor requirements of the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act). In addition, DOL has the authority to conduct workplace investigations san francisco, ca of companies and enforce actions against employers found violating the FLSA and other statutes governing wage payments. An investigator appointed by the DOL is responsible for educating employees and employers about their rights concerning wages, investigating employee complaints, and taking corrective actions. This article enlists some key wage and hour investigator interview questions.
Question.1 Is everyone covered by the minimum wage requirements?
Usually, most people are covered by the minimum wage requirements specified by the Department of Labor. However, some people that are not covered include:
- Executives and administrators who earn over 75 times the minimum wage rate.
- Professionals
- Taxicab drivers
- Outside salespersons
- Government employees (except some teaching employees)
- Ministers and members of the religious order
- Students obtaining vocational experience
- Volunteers, apprentices, earners, and students working in NGOs
- Part-time babysitters
- Outside salespersons
Question.2 What is the current minimum wage rate in the United States?
This is one of the most common wage and hour investigator interview questions. the federal minimum wage rate for employees covered under the Fair Labor Standard Act is $7.25 per hour.
Question.3 Can employers ask their employees to wear uniforms at the workplace?
Yes, employers ask their employees to wear uniforms at the workplace. However, it is to be noted that the cost of buying and taking care of a uniform must not affect the minimum wage rate of an employee. If workers at minimum wage rate need to wear designated uniforms at their workplace, then employers will be responsible to buy and take care of the uniforms or they can pay the employees for the same.
Question.4 Where can employees find the required posters summarizing the minimum wage rules?
Employers are mandated to post the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act under Article 19 of the Labor Law.
Question.5 What are the rules governing overtime?
The overtime requirements are based on hours for which employees have worked in a given week. For instance, if an employee has worked for more than 40 hours in a pay week and is not exempt, the employer needs to pay him an overtime rate for all hours over 40. And if an individual is a farmer, then he must be paid an overtime rate for all hours over 60 in a given week.
Conclusion
All employers in the United States are mandated to follow the rules and policies concerning the wage and hour specified by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department of Labor (DOL). The WHD can conduct investigations on certain employers for several reasons to ensure enforcement of the related laws and assuring an employer’s compliance. Usually, the reason for an investigation is not disclosed by the WHD; however, many are initiated by complaints. These are some of the wage and hour investigator interview questions which will help employers and employees know their rights and prepare for the investigation.
