Opinion ID: 547535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Written interpretation by a designated agency

Text: 55 Section 259 expressly requires that the regulation, order, ruling, approval, interpretation, administrative practice, or enforcement policy relied upon be that of an agency of the United States, defined in subsection (b) as the Administrator of the Wage and Hour division for alleged violations of the FLSA occurring after May 14, 1947. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 259. Courts have interpreted this requirement literally, holding, for example, that the agency's advice may not be oral and must be specific enough to provide guidance. See Cole, 824 F.2d at 927-30; Home Insurance, 672 F.2d at 265. 56 We have reviewed the 1981 and 1985 opinion letters from the Deputy Administrator relied on by LOMAR in this case and agree with the county that these letters may properly be characterized as the position of the agency for purposes of section 259, even though they are not signed by the Administrator. The letters are specifically in reference to conditions in residential group homes for the mentally retarded and appear written to convey the agency's position with respect to compensation issues. Regulations interpreting section 259 emphasize that Congress intended the defense to apply where guidance has been given by those who actually have the power to act as (rather than merely for) the agency. 29 C.F.R. Sec. 790.19. While an employer who relies on the statement of a lesser official is not relieved from liability unless the official's statement is in fact the interpretation of the agency, id., we are prepared to assume for purposes of this case that the Deputy Administrator was the authority vested with power to issue ... interpretations ... of a final nature as the official act or policy of the agency with respect to application of the sleep time regulations. Id. 57