More than 100 social workers will share $1.7 million in overtime owed to them by the San Mateo County Human Services Agency.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found widespread violations in its review of the agency. Investigators determined that the county employees were paid overtime when they met with clients, but were not appropriately compensated when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek to complete reports and other case-related paperwork. 

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay one and one-half times the hourly rate when hours exceed 40 in a workweek. Investigators also found record-keeping violations by the county. 

The FLSA requires that covered, nonexempt employees be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as well as time and one-half regular rates for every hour worked beyond 40 per workweek. The FLSA also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights and requires employers to maintain accurate records of wages paid and hours worked.