Leverette v. Labor Works International, LLC

Leverette v. Labor Works International: Court Rules on Transportation Time and Equipment Costs

This case involved workers who sued their employer, Labor Works International, claiming they weren't properly paid under North Carolina's wage and hour laws. The workers argued they should have been compensated for time spent on van transportation to work sites and that deductions for safety equipment were improper.

The court ruled against the workers on both issues. The appeals court agreed with the lower court that transportation time in company vans did not count as work time that required payment. The court also upheld the employer's right to deduct costs for safety equipment from workers' paychecks.

What this means for workers: This ruling shows that not all time spent related to work is considered "work time" that must be paid. Transportation to job sites may not be compensable, and employers may be allowed to charge workers for certain equipment costs. However, wage and hour laws can be complex and vary by state and situation. Workers who believe they're not being paid properly should understand their specific rights under their state's laws, as different circumstances might lead to different outcomes.