News Release

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TARGETS NURSING HOME FACILITIES

The U.S. Department of Labor will be conducting compliance-based surveys in the long-term health care industry during the month of February. Facilities scheduled for investigation include nursing homes in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties.

The Wage and Hour Division Houston district office mailed industry compliance information to nursing homes throughout these counties during the month of January. Investigators will conduct compliance-based surveys to identify violative practices as well as to educate the employers beginning in February.

Betty R. Campbell, Wage and Hour Division district director in Houston, announced that the upcoming effort is designed to help achieve the Department of Labor's goal of "fostering quality workplaces that are safe, healthy, and fair."

"We are confident that this effort will improve the current 40 percent compliance rate in this industry," said Campbell. "We plan to improve written compliance information to 52 nursing homes in the seven counties and conduct 13 compliance surveys. We are hopeful out effort will positively impact the lives of many low-wage employees. Our goal is to increase compliance in this industry to 90 percent."

Beginning in 1997, Wage and Hour's efforts to promote FLSA compliance in the health care industry have been concentrated in the long-term care segment  of the industry, which typically included nursing homes, adult family care facilities, assisted living facilities, group homes and home health care. In 1997, Wage and Hour conducted the first investigation-based survey of nursing homes and other personal care facilities. That first survey found that 70% of nursing homes were in compliance with FLSA requirements in the employment of their low-wage workforce. The second investigation-based survey, conducted in 2000, indicated a 40 percent level of compliance with FLSA minimum wage, overtime and child labor provisions.

The Department's mission is to increase compliance with labor standards laws through combined effort of enforcement, administrative and educational programs. The FLSA sets forth minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor, record keeping and special minimum wage standards.

Recognizing that a high percentage of violations occur among the country's most vulnerable populations, especially low-wage workers, the Wage and Hour Division has focused its compliance activities, both education/outreach and enforcement, in low wage industries.

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Additional information and compliance materials may be obtained by contacting the following Wage and Hour Division Office:

Houston District Office
9990 Richmond Ave., Ste. 202
Houston, Texas 77042
Phone: (713) 339-5500