Recent lawsuits and other allegations are shedding light on illegal pay practices involving security guards. By failing to properly compensate guards for all hours worked, employers are violating the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state employment laws.
Wage abuse against security guards can take different forms. For example:
- Failing to pay minimum wage;
- Requiring incoming guards to be briefed by outgoing guards before beginning their shifts;
- Requiring outgoing guards to brief incoming guards after ending their shifts;
- Requiring off-duty guards to remain “on call” in case they are needed on the job;
- Failing to maintain accurate pay records; and
- Failing to pay guards for meal breaks and rest periods as required by state statute.
The additional time for these activities constitutes “hours worked,” for which security guards are entitled to minimum wage and time-and-a-half for overtime. In many cases, this unpaid work time can total 10 to 20 minutes per day, denying these employees their hard-earned dollars.
Wage and hour abuse claims have been lodged against companies across the United States, including ABM Security Services Inc., Overton Security Services Inc., Nygard, Inc., and Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
The attorneys in Sommers Schwartz Employment Litigation Group are currently interviewing security guards who suspect they may be the victims of wage theft. If you worked believe you were unlawfully denied compensation or have information that would help our investigation of possible wrongdoing, please contact us today!
Kevin J. Stoops
Kevin Stoops is an experienced trial attorney who appears frequently in Michigan state courts and federal courts across the United States, representing clients in complex business litigation. He has vast experience and a track record of successful outcomes high-dollar matters involving trade secret, business tort, intellectual property, executive employment, and class action claims.
