The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is a United States labor law that gives workers the right to a minimum wage, as well as overtime pay when employees work more than 40 hours a week. It also prohibits employment of minors in “oppressive child labor.” When a company violates any of the FLSA regulations, employees can file a lawsuit against their employer. These violations can include wage and hour violations, such as unpaid overtime and wages that fall below minimum wage.

Even when business owners unintentionally violate the terms of FLSA, it is important they understand how to prepare for litigation to maintain their company’s good standing. If you are an Illinois business owner who is facing such allegations, an experienced attorney can help protect your business.

FLSA Infractions

In many companies, the human resources (HR) department or person is responsible for making sure management is adhering to FLSA rules. In some cases, owners or managers may not even realize that what they are or are not doing is considered a violation. In other instances, it could result from a misunderstanding or miscommunication between a supervisor and an employee.  A few examples of the most common types of FLSA violations include:

The primary goal for most small business owners is to have a thriving business. Expanding a customer base is a crucial component of growing your business. Many companies accomplish this goal by gathering data about their patrons for future use. For instance, many companies collect email information to provide their customers with notices about upcoming events and sales. This method is useful in creating repeat customers and increases the probability of additional traffic. However, businesses must use caution with their clients’ information to avoid breaking federal laws surrounding data privacy and limit the possibility of commercial litigation.

Online Interaction

The majority of companies today use a website to serve the needs of their clients better. However, these websites often track every move each customer makes, storing this information in a database. Small businesses should be sure to follow the proper procedures to protect this customer data. Creating a valid privacy policy is an excellent way to begin. When creating one for your business, keep the verbiage simple and adhere to your promises. Once your plan is ready, make it visible for all customers to read before proceeding with your website.