Workers at one of California's largest electrical contractors are getting a hefty payday, courtesy of the US Department of Labor. Following an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division, Cupertino Electric Inc., headquartered in San Jose, is dishing out over $1.4 million in back wages to 2,620 employees. The company did not pay the proper overtime rates, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The division found that Cupertino Electric, a subsidiary of Quanta and a major player with projects spanning multiple states, didn't factor in non-discretionary bonuses when calculating overtime pay. "The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to making sure employees are paid properly, including the full amount of their legally required overtime rates," Lilita Hom, the Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director in San Jose, explained, as per the US Department of Labor. This oversight by the company led to a significant chunk of change being owed to its workforce.
With a portfolio boasting complex electrical systems for clients in both public and private sectors, Cupertino Electric operates in states including Arizona, California, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Their projects often require skilled labor and long hours, which, under the Fair Labor Standards Act, should be fairly compensated with overtime pay.
