Legal Question in Employment Law in Tennessee

This is a rather long explanation but I feel that you need to know the details to give informed advice. Here goes. My husband, daughter and I were homeless so it was almost like the hand of God when we found a motel that would allow my husband to work security for room and board. He has been working here since October 31 2009. We are very grateful, however my husband is being taken advantage of because of our desperation. Since starting he has been working a minimum of 6 days a week between 8-12 hours a day. They provide 24 hour security so there are 5 security guards (there should be 8) and also there are maintenance workers, housekeepers, construction crews to remodel and front desk people. There is also a bar/restaurant. Now officially they are supposed to work 30 hours a week to pay for their $150 room. Do the math on that and you are looking at $5 an hour. The only ones who get paid extra are the bar workers. 3 guys (my husband included) in security are working 7 days a week now and do not get paid for the extra hours. That's right, they work around 60 hours a week for a room that is in theory worth $150 a week. I say in Theory because these rooms have black mold growing and are infested with cockroaches. The 60 hour work week has been going on for months. There are a lot of families who are down on their luck with no cars and no other choice who are being taking advantage of. I can not work because I am pregnant and have been ordered to bed rest. He can not get a second job because the manager frowns upon it and makes comments about how he may have to find someone who is able to work whatever shift he needs them for. We want to call the labor board but it has to be handled quietly in order for them to catch the owners and manager. They have an accountant and are very capable of covering themselves. The owners mortgaged this place to build very ritzy hotels in GA and claim they are losing money on this place. They are very clever. This has been going on for several years without being caught or questioned. Will the labor board possibly investigate this quietly in order to ask questions? Are they able to act as a customer for a week to see what is going on? I don't want my identity involved so if they don't do anything about it we wont get kicked out.


Asked on 4/02/10, 12:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

James R. Becker, Jr. Becker Law Firm

It is possible for the federal Department of Labor to do a formal investigation and not name the individual who made the complaint.

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Answered on 4/07/10, 10:36 am


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