NJ Floor Company Ordered to Pay Employees $280,000

Fifteen employees at a New Jersey-based floor covering company will receive $280,000 after federal authorities said they were overworked without compensation, according to NJ.com.

The owners of Ferry Carpets Inc. have to pay $140,000 in back pay and $140,000 in damages to the employees who were compensated for working 40 hours a week when they actually worked as many as 72 hours.

"The violations found in this case are all too common in this industry," said John Warner, director of the Northern New Jersey Wage and Hour District Office, in a statement.

The business will also have to give employees information about the Federal Labor Standards Act, use an automated time clock, have employees approve time cards and hire a third-party examiner to audit the company’s compliance with the rules, according to NJ.com.