Press Releases
09/09/2015
Gov. Malloy: Labor Department Recovers More Than $6.1 Million in Owed Wages for Connecticut Workers
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the state Department of Labor's Division of Wage and Workplace Standards recovered more than $6.1 million in unpaid wages for Connecticut workers during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
"The working women and men who are the backbone of our state should get paid for the jobs they do and receive the wages they rightfully earn," Governor Malloy said. "The $6.1 million collected by the Labor Department's investigation reflects the importance we place on protecting our state's workforce, as well as law-abiding employers."
"As our economy continues to grow, Connecticut's expanding workforce must be able to trust that their talent and expertise are a priority and will be protected. This announcement demonstrates just how seriously we take that commitment," Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. "Governor Malloy and I have long been vocal advocates of fair wages and safe workplace conditions - it's how we build a stronger state for everyone. I applaud Commissioner Palmer and her team for their work."
According to Connecticut Labor Commissioner Sharon M. Palmer, $6,136,111.56 was returned to workers during the past fiscal year. This included nearly $1.55 million recovered by wage enforcement staff responding to 2,337 complaints regarding owed wages that had not been paid. An additional $788,000 was provided to employees that did not receive required minimum wage or overtime, and more than $1.6 million was owed to workers paid the incorrect amount while working at public contract construction sites.
"With Labor Day approaching, it is especially important to realize the importance of ensuring that all of our laws - be it those pertaining to minimum wage, overtime, or child labor - are understood and followed," Commissioner Palmer said. "The mission of our Wage and Workplace Standards Division is to meet the needs of Connecticut's workforce and strengthen knowledge of the state's labor laws. As a result, education and outreach to workers and employers is just as vital as our enforcement efforts."
The Connecticut Department of Labor's Wage and Workplace Standards Division also investigated 253 cases involving labor law violations, with inspectors citing employers in the following areas: personnel file violations, permitting night work of minors in manufacturing and mechanical businesses, the improper work hours of minors, hazardous employment of minors, and minors working in prohibited jobs, among other violations.
The following wages were recovered in fiscal year 2014-2015 by the Labor Department's Wage and Workplace Standards Division:
| Wage enforcement | $1,547,127.12 to 1,649 employees |
| Public contract compliance | $1,607,602.50 to 514 employees |
| Wage and Hour | $788,472.70 to 1,649 employees |
| Service contract compliance | $243,289.28 to 35 employees |
| Total wages recovered | $6,136,111.56 |
The division also issued 164 stop work orders to employers that did not comply with Connecticut wage laws and worker's compensation requirements. Following on-site investigations, companies cited were required to cease work on that specific construction project until required workplace regulations were met. In some cases, it was determined that employers misrepresented employees as independent contractors - a practice causing economic disadvantages to other companies.
According to Gary K. Pechie, Director of the agency's Division of Wage and Workplace Standards, wages were recovered in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Title 31, Chapter 557, Part III, and Chapter 558. He also noted that the division's website, www.ct.gov/dol (located under "Wage Law and Workplace Safety") offers an extensive amount of information geared toward educating employers and workers about their rights and responsibilities in regard to state and federal wage laws.
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