Pennsylvania hospital agrees to pay nurses $4.5 million for overtime
The Lehigh Valley Health Network in Philadelphia offered to pay nurses $4.5 million to settle overtime claims, according to the Morning Call. If the Patient Care Services Division nurses accept, they could receive as much as $1,950 each for employee attendance between January 20, 2008 and May 18, 2012.
Joni Wright, a nurse who worked the facility for 30 years, originally filed the complaint against Lehigh Valley Health Network, claiming employee were required to report before shifts and stay after they ended, the source reports. Employees were also allowed to work during required meal breaks and were regularly expected to work extra hours without additional pay.
The healthcare provider does not admit its payroll practices were in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), but offered the settlement because, "the care and safety of our patients is our priority," and "compensating the staff who provide that care also is a priority," as reported by the Lehigh Valley Live.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nurses who are paid on an hourly basis are guaranteed overtime pay, but many who are paid on a salary basis are exempt as learned professionals. However, hospitals are required to adhere to special consideration regarding sleep and meal breaks for employees who must stay on duty for extended periods of time.
If a facility is having difficulty monitoring time attendance, they should consider investing in a new payroll processing system that can calculate correct wages and generate up-to-date reports.
Joni Wright, a nurse who worked the facility for 30 years, originally filed the complaint against Lehigh Valley Health Network, claiming employee were required to report before shifts and stay after they ended, the source reports. Employees were also allowed to work during required meal breaks and were regularly expected to work extra hours without additional pay.
The healthcare provider does not admit its payroll practices were in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), but offered the settlement because, "the care and safety of our patients is our priority," and "compensating the staff who provide that care also is a priority," as reported by the Lehigh Valley Live.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nurses who are paid on an hourly basis are guaranteed overtime pay, but many who are paid on a salary basis are exempt as learned professionals. However, hospitals are required to adhere to special consideration regarding sleep and meal breaks for employees who must stay on duty for extended periods of time.
If a facility is having difficulty monitoring time attendance, they should consider investing in a new payroll processing system that can calculate correct wages and generate up-to-date reports.
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