21 H-1B Employees Awarded Back Wages for Unpaid Company Training

On behalf of Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C.

The Department of Labor (DOL) reaffirmed that an H-1B employer must pay its employees the full, required wage when in training. DOL ordered SVK Systems Inc. in Montgomery, AL to pay $257,635 in back wages to 21 H-1B employees hired for tech jobs across the United States, according to a recent press release.

DOL investigators determined the employees had not received their salary while doing mandatory company training and, in some cases, also had not been paid for hours actually worked.

Despite the violations, SVK will continue to be able to file for H-1B workers. It has agreed to follow the rules in the future.

If you are an H-1B worker and were not paid while attending mandatory company training, you may have a claim for unpaid wages against your employer. For an evaluation of any claims you may have you should consult with a competent attorney.