DOL Increases Penalties For Wilful Overtime and Minimum Wage Violations

In conjunction with its recent changes to overtime rules, the United States Department of Labor has also announced that penalties for wilful violations of the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act will increase from $1,100 to $1,894 for each violation, to be assessed in addition to back wages and liquidated damages.

Note that a “wilful” violation may be found where an employer intentionally committed prohibited conduct or showed a “reckless disregard” for the law.