Tulsa Oil-Related Business Ordered To Pay Back OT Wages

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The U.S. Department of Labor announced that it has recovered almost $190,000 in back wages for 57 Tulsa employees of MESA Products, Inc., an oil-related business.

An investigation in to MESA found that the 57 foremen, technicians, field assistants and inside sales reps had been incorrectly identified as "exempt" employees and so not compensated for overtime hours.

"The Labor Department is committed to ensuring that employees receive full pay for all hours worked," said Cynthia Watson, the Wage and Hour Division's southwest regional administrator.

"MESA Products required its employees to work long hours without paying them proper overtime compensation. The resolution of this case demonstrates the Wage and Hour Division's commitment to pursuing those who violate the law and deprive workers of their hard earned wages."

The workers received  fixed, biweekly salaries and were paid either straight time or comp time for hours work above 40 in a week.  The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that employees receive time and one-half their regular rates of pay for the overtime hours.

After conducting employee interviews and reviewing time and payroll records, investigators determined that MESA Products owes a total of $189,790 in overtime back wages. The company has agreed to pay the full amount, and to properly classify its employees and compensate them for all hours worked in the future.

In addition to overtime compensation guidelines, the FLSA requires that covered employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 for all hours worked.

MESA Products is a leading supplier of materials and engineering and installation services used to prevent corrosion in pipelines, tanks and refinery equipment, according to the Department of Labor.