Author Archives: Robert Norell
Registered Nurse recovers $35,000 in overtime pay
A registered nurse who worked at one facility through a staffing agency worked 80-90 hours per week, but was only paid a straight time rate. The staffing agency concocted a novel approach to circumventing the Fair Labor Standards Act by reducing the RN’s hourly rate and paying overtime on the reduced rate so that… Read More »
Pizza Delivery Drivers, the Minimum Wage and Split Pay
Many pizza delivery drivers are paid what is called a “split wage” Drivers get a tip credit wage of say, $5.00 per hour, plus whatever tips they get from the customers. However, many drivers spend a considerable amount of time at the restaurant getting their orders ready for delivery or even waiting for the… Read More »
General Sales Manager for automobile dealership recovers $245,000 for alleged race and national origin discrimination
This client claimed that his employer terminated him because of his race and national origin. After filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Robert S. Norell litigated a claim against this large well-known South Florida automobile dealership. Because the dealership’s reason for terminating this client was easily discredited, the… Read More »
Licensed Practical Nurse paid salary recovers $12,000 in unpaid overtime
This client worked as a licensed practical nurse for a medical doctor. She was paid a straight salary, but required to work through her lunch break and also required to stay until the last patient was seen by the doctor. She was paid a salary that was based on 40 hours per week. In… Read More »
Keeping track of wages: The US Labor Department has an app for that!
The following is a May 9, 2011 news release from the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. I think this is a great tool for all employees who may have pay issues with their employers. Whether you use this “app” or any other system to document your hours, it’s always a good idea… Read More »
Beauty supply store manager recovers over $15,000 in unpaid overtime.
A store manager for a national beauty supply chain was paid a salary, but did not supervise at least 2 full time employees. In fact, the store manager was the only employee of the store. The company assumed that the store manager was exempt because it paid her a salary and because most managers… Read More »
Admissions Counselor for Private University recovered over $25,000 for retaliation claim.
Admissions counselor was paid on based on a fluctuating work week, which resulted in her getting paid less the more hours that she worked. The fluctuating work week method of pay results in a worker receiving 1/2 time pay instead of full time and a half. She didn’t understand the way she was getting… Read More »
Florida Minimum Wage Increase
On January 1, 2015, the Florida minimum wage was increased by 12 cents an hour, which brings Florida’s minimum wage to $8.05. Florida’s minimum wage is now 80 cents above the $7.25 federal minimum wage. The Fair Labor Standards Act contains a provision that if a state has set a higher minimum wage than… Read More »
Loan Officer for mortgage brokerage wins overtime judgment for $30,000.
A loan officer who worked for a mortgage brokerage in West Palm Beach was awarded $30,000 in unpaid overtime. The loan officer was paid commission only for all of her work, despite the fact that she worked approximately 48-50 hours per week. The mortgage brokerage incorrectly assumed that, since the loan officer was paid… Read More »
Three Nurses recovered over $100,000 in overtime.
Three LPNs who worked for a national nurse staffing company worked 70-80 hours weekly, but only received their straight hourly rate. The staffing agency incorrectly assumed that LPNs were exempt from overtime. Generally speaking, the only nurses who can be exempt from overtime are Registered Nurses (RNs). After a brief period of litigation, the… Read More »
Robert S. Norell, Esq. became a member of the Florida Bar in 1994 and has represented hundreds of clients in all types of employment law cases for the past 20+ years.