Tag Archives: first responders

Paramedic Sign-On Bonuses, the Regular Rate and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: My fire department initiated a “sign-on bonus” program for paramedics a couple of years ago. Under the terms of the program, lateral paramedic transfers received a one-time $5,000 sign-on bonus at the time of hire. In exchange for the bonus, the paramedic signed an agreement that they would remain employed with the fire department for at least ...

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Lockheed Martin Corp. Facing FLSA Lawsuit from Firefighters

A group of four in-house firefighters that work for Lockheed Martin Corp.’s aircraft plant in Marietta, Georgia recently filed a lawsuit against the corporation alleging the company fails to pay overtime as required by federal law. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on April 6, contains allegations that the defense ...

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California City Faces FLSA Overtime Lawsuit from Battalion Chief

The City of Encinitas, California is the latest city to face an FLSA overtime lawsuit from a fire department battalion chief. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on April 8, alleges the city misclassifies battalion chiefs as overtime exempt employees in violation of the FLSA. As of now, the lawsuit ...

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Illinois 911 Dispatchers File FLSA Lawsuit Following DOL Investigation

Several current and former civilian emergency (911) dispatchers from Evanston, Illinois have filed a lawsuit alleging the City of Evanston failed to pay them overtime as required by both federal and state law. The dispatchers allege, in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on April 4, that the city has a practice ...

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Voluntary Attendance at Work-Related Conferences and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I am a fire chief for a small suburban fire department. Our local fire chiefs’ association is hosting a one-day presentation on leadership to be held at a neighboring community’s recreation facility. I am encouraging many of my personnel to attend what I believe will be a very valuable and worthwhile learning opportunity. Additionally, I will reimburse ...

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KC Reaches $2 Million Settlement with Firefighters Following 2019 FLSA Lawsuit

The City of Kansas City, Missouri has reached a global settlement with 383 current and former city firefighters following their 2019 lawsuit for alleged violations of the FLSA. The firefighters alleged in the lawsuit, which was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri on February 8, 2019, that the city failed to include specialty ...

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Battalion Chiefs, Straight Time Overtime, and the FLSA

Today’s FLSA Question: I am an overtime exempt battalion chief for a mid-sized municipal fire and medical department. I do not receive any FLSA overtime. Despite being overtime exempt, the city pays me and other exempt chiefs “straight time overtime” for additional shifts worked beyond the normal work schedule. This is paid at our normal hourly rate. It is not ...

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Iowa City Looks to Settle FLSA Lawsuit over Misclassification of Fire Captains and Battalion Chiefs

The City of Muscatine, Iowa is the latest city looking to settle an overtime lawsuit filed by several senior fire officers. In a September 2021 lawsuit, a group of five firefighters alleged the city improperly classified fire captains and battalion chiefs as overtime exempt employees. According to the firefighters, the city changed pay practices and started paying captains overtime in ...

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