Last year, Unforgettable Coatings, a commercial painting and roofing company in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah – and its owner – had to pay $3.6M in back wages, liquidated damages, penalties for willful conduct, and interest for failing to pay employees overtime wages; falsifying pay records; requiring employees to work without pay on weekends; intimidating employees who questioned the company’s pay practices; and threatening immigration consequences, to cut hours, and to reduce wages by 30% for employees who spoke with the Department of Labor during its investigation of complaints about the company’s pay practices.

This was the second time the Department of Labor recovered unpaid wages for employees from the company and its owner. The first time was in 2013 when they failed to pay employees overtime wages.

What would a respectful workplace have done?

Respectful workplaces pay workers for all time worked – regardless of when that work takes place, how many hours the employee has worked that week, or whether the employee had permission to work extra hours – just like the law requires. Respectful workplaces also maintain accurate time records, don’t retaliate against employees who raise concerns, and don’t threaten employees if they speak with the government about concerns raised against the company. Respectful workplaces also don’t repeat bad decisions.

Did you know you can be personally liable if you tell an employee to not report time, if you falsify time records, or if you intimidate or threaten employees so they don’t complain or participate in an investigation?


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For Managers – March 8th, 10 am – 12 pm PT
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To find out more about our training programs or to book a workshop, please call 800-458-2778 or email us.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.