Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division for potential violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal government agency confirmed.
A DOL spokesperson confirmed that the investigation into the local brewery is open but did not elaborate on the details of the case beyond that it has to do with the FLSA.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets standards for wages, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor.
According to WGME, Flight Deck managing partner Nate Wildes acknowledged late last month that they are aware of the investigation, and that it has to do with how the brewery keeps records.
“We have been fully cooperative throughout the process,” Wildes said, according to WGME.
Wildes also said Flight Deck is currently updating their employee compensation packages.
In a post to their social media pages after news of the investigation became public, Flight Deck listed the benefits they provide their employees, including paid time off, a three percent simple IRA match, daily meals and beers, and “swag.”
“Thanks to input from our crew, other local businesses we look up to, and even the Department of Labor – we’re continuing to grow, learn, and elevate our offerings,” the brewery wrote in a post to Facebook.
“We’re not perfect, but we will always be grateful to the people who have helped us along and shown us how we can take care of our people better,” they wrote. “We are proud to build our small business around the people who make it hum.”
State business records show that Flight Deck Brewing LLC was originally established by Nate Wildes as an L3C, a low-profit limited liability company that under state law must fulfill certain charitable or educational obligations, but is now a standard LLC without those obligations.
Federal records indicate Flight Deck Brewing received about $180,000 in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in early 2021.
Wildes is also the executive director of Live and Work in Maine, a nonprofit career consulting agency focused on bringing new workers into the state and is an initiative of the Department of Economic and Community Development.
