Jan. 21--A federal judge has ordered a Chicago limousine company to pay nearly $400,000 in overtime back pay and damages for failing to pay drivers for time spent cleaning their cars and waiting for customers.
Town Country Limousine must pay 34 drivers $190,716 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages, totaling $381,432, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall issued the ruling last month.
The Labor Department filed a complaint in March alleging the limo company incorrectly classified the drivers as exempt from overtime. Its investigators found the company didn't compensate drivers for time spent prepping and cleaning their vehicles, driving to and from the corporate garage, and waiting for customers to arrive.
Federal labor law requires nonexempt employees to be paid time-and-a-half for hours beyond 40 in a workweek.
"All employers are responsible for learning and complying with the regulations that apply to their businesses," Tom Gauza, district director for the Wage and Hour Division in Chicago, said in a news release.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit were DT C Global Management, which does business as Town Country, and CEO John Jansen and COO William Lynch.
They could not be reached for comment.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
