Washer and Dryer Repairmen Entitled to Overtime Pay, Minimum Wage Under FLSA

Technicians who repair washers and dryers for a living are rarely at the same place twice for their jobs.

Traveling to the homes and businesses that rely on the modern technology of an automatic clothes washer or dryer means the technicians are always on the go. This also means they spend a lot of time in the company car. Since the company is the one who dispatches the repairmen out to the different "job sites," shouldn't the techs be paid for their travel time?

The answer is yes.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, washer and dryer repairmen are entitled to overtime pay, as well as the federal minimum wage currently set at $7.75. Overtime should be paid at one and a half times the normal hourly rate for hours worked over 40 in one week.

So why are some washer and dryer repairmen still not paid fair wages? Some employers fail to pay their repairmen during times when they should actually be receiving a wage. Others pay their repairmen incorrectly, such as on a piece-rate basis or commission, but without paying overtime for their hours worked over 40.

For example, washer and dryer repairmen should be paid while performing the following tasks:

• During the time it takes the repairmen to travel from the company to the site where the broken washer or dryer is located
• During the time spent at meetings where attendance is required
• During the time spent waiting for the customer to arrive at the site, gather payment, or unlock the facility
• During the time spent training, either on- or off-the-job site
• During the time spent working before actual clock-in or after clock-out
• During the time spent gathering supplies and ordering materials related to servicing the washers and dryers.
• During the time spent cleaning the company vehicle.
• During the time spent completing paperwork outside of the office
• During the time spent working over a lunch break

The Fair Labor Standards Act also requires employers to calculate a repairman's regular rate of pay, and use that rate to pay time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in one week.

This rule applies to virtually all non-management, "blue-collar" workers, which is why it is important for anyone working in manual labor to know their rights.

To learn more about your rights under the FLSA, including your entitlement to overtime in Houston, Texas, call the experienced fair overtime attorneys at Kennedy Hodges at 888.449.2068 for your free copy of their book the Ten Biggest Mistakes that Can Hurt Your Wage and Overtime Claim. Or fill out our online form to schedule your free case evaluation where an attorney will sit down with you, review your claim, and provide you with the best solution to protect your paycheck.