Pennsylvania K-9 officers sue for overtime pay
Two police officers from Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, recently filed a lawsuit to recover lost wages as the result of unpaid overtime, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The officers, Doug R. Yuhouse and Mark Wilson, claim they were denied compensation for off-the-clock time spent caring for their K-9 partners.
"The excess unpaid overtime hours worked by plaintiffs include compensable time spent caring for, maintaining, training and cleaning up after their police dogs and time spent maintaining police equipment and uniforms," the complaint alleges, as reported by the news source.
K-9 units have recently become a source of employee lawsuits within police departments nationwide. Because the assigned officers are required to care for the dogs on and off the clock, there is a question as to whether or not they are performing job functions without receiving remuneration.
According to attorneys at Chamberlain, Kaufman and Jones, the dog handler's pay should be calculated based on any time they are permitted or suffered to work, which includes any K-9 activities.
Due to the remote nature of this work, it may be difficult for police supervisors to monitor overtime. Fortunately, there are now mobile timeclock services that make it easy to track on-the-go time attendance.
"The excess unpaid overtime hours worked by plaintiffs include compensable time spent caring for, maintaining, training and cleaning up after their police dogs and time spent maintaining police equipment and uniforms," the complaint alleges, as reported by the news source.
K-9 units have recently become a source of employee lawsuits within police departments nationwide. Because the assigned officers are required to care for the dogs on and off the clock, there is a question as to whether or not they are performing job functions without receiving remuneration.
According to attorneys at Chamberlain, Kaufman and Jones, the dog handler's pay should be calculated based on any time they are permitted or suffered to work, which includes any K-9 activities.
Due to the remote nature of this work, it may be difficult for police supervisors to monitor overtime. Fortunately, there are now mobile timeclock services that make it easy to track on-the-go time attendance.
All data and information provided on this news blog is for informational purposes only. Infinisource makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Information regarding employment suits and other legal action is not updated after publication, and may not be current.