Employer: Southern Visions LLP, operating as Sweet Brew Tea
Investigation site: 30245 County Road 49, Loxley, AL 36551
Investigation findings: Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division found the employer paid overtime after 80 hours in a pay period and not after 40 in a workweek as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. By doing so, the employer failed to pay the additional half-time rate when employees exceeded the 40 hours in a workweek.
The division also learned Southern Visions allowed a minor-aged employee to drive a vehicle to conduct business and run errands, without meeting criteria set by federal laws, a hazardous occupation violation under the FLSA.
Back Wages, Liquidated Damages Recovered: $12,218 for 64 workers and an equal amount in liquidated damages.
Civil money penalties assessed: $1,980 to resolve child labor violations.
Quote: “Employers cannot choose when they begin to pay proper pay rates to overtime eligible employees,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Kenneth Stripling in Birmingham, Alabama. “The Wage and Hour Division is readily available to help employers and employees alike to understand their legal responsibilities and rights under the law.”
Background: Southern Visions LLP manufactures sweet tea products for sale to residential, commercial, restaurants and specialty store customers at more than 140 establishments in 16 U.S. states.