Meat processing plant to pay $230K for failing to compensate 545 workers for pre- and post-shift work

An investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that a Nebraska meat processing plant was denying workers compensation for pre- and post-shift work. This work incudes putting on and taking off PPE, as well as time needed to clean equipment. According to the DOL, Noah’s Ark Processors LLC paid workers when they and their co-workers started task work on a “gang shift.” The practice occurred from September 2021 until February 2023, and workers were denied several minutes of pay each day while conducting pre- and post-shift work. U.S. District Court Judge John M. Gerrad issued a consent judgment and order requiring the meat processor to pay the monies owed to the workers. The company will pay $230,000 to the 545 affected workers.

In a recent quote, Wage and Hour Division District Director Marietta Taylor said, “The federal court’s ruling reinforces that employers must pay their workers for time preparing for and completing shift work. These compensable minutes each day add up to real dollars in workers’ pockets. Many of the workers in this case may not have understood their rights under federal wage laws. It is the legal responsibility of employers to pay workers all their earned wages and provide wage information in a language understood by the employee.”