In a significant precedent involving the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently overruled a federal district court’s prior ruling on oil rig workers and their entitlements to compensation for time spent changing into and out of protective gear. The case in question is titled Tyger v. Precision Drilling Corp., No. 22-1613, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 21374 and was reported on by Jackson Lewis P.C. on JD Supra.
The district court was found to have used an incorrect legal test during its summary judgment, consequently denying oil rig workers appropriate compensations under the FLSA.
The third circuit’s decision not only offers clarity on when the act of donning and doffing safety gear is compensable but also sets a precedent for similar cases that may emerge in the future.
The outcome of this case exemplifies the broader obligation of employers to ensure that their workers are correctly compensated for all the time that legally qualifies as work under the FLSA. This includes activities that are integral and indispensable to their principal work activities.
Moreover, it underscores the critical need for corporations and law firms to stay abreast of legal developments directly affecting the compensation, health, and safety of their employees, especially those in high-risk industries such as oil drilling.
It is a reminder to legal professionals that maintaining a thorough understanding of interpretive changes in laws and court rulings related to their practice area can help mitigate potential risks and better serve their corporate clients.