Call Center Ordered to Pay Back Wages for Overtime Violation

by Mike Bevel, CollectionIndustry.com

The thing about employees is, they want to get paid ? especially if they?ve worked overtime. That was the hard lesson learned by Colorado-based Center Partners Inc, a customer service outsourcing company, providing installation support, new customer welcome calls, product inquiry, repair and help desk services to numerous Fortune 500 companies.

The company has recently agreed to pay $229,905 in overtime back-wages to 1,309 employees. What Center Partners is calling an ?oversight? came to light following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor?s Wage and Hour Division.

“This investigation reflects the Labor Department?s commitment to ensure that workers receive the full wages they have earned,? Alex Salaiz, Wage and Hour Division district director in Denver, said in a statement. ?Employers must make sure they properly calculate their employees? regular rates of pay, or else overtime premiums cannot be computed accurately.?