Document: 486 U.S. 128 108 S.Ct. 1677 100 L.Ed.2d 115 Ann McLAUGHLIN, Secretary of Labor, Petitionerv.RICHLAND SHOE COMPANY. No. 86-1520. Argued Feb. 24, 1988. Decided May 16, Syllabus The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that a civil enforcement action be commenced within two years after the cause accrued, except arising out "willful" violation may three years. In Labor's based on respondent's alleged failure to pay overtime compensation required by FLSA, District Court rejected claim 2-year statute limitations applied, finding 3-year exception applicable under standard Coleman v. Jiffy June Farms, Inc., 458 F.2d 1139, whereby an is if there substantial evidence employer "knew or suspected his actions might violate FLSA"; i.e., he merely knew FLSA was "in picture." Vacating judgment against respondent and remanding, Appeals in favor test employed Trans World Airlines, Inc. Thurston, 469 111, 105 613, 83 523. Held: willfulness adopted Thurston—that either showed reckless disregard as whether its conduct prohibited FLSA—must satisfied order for apply. This represents fair reading Act's plain language, since it comports with general understanding word refers "voluntary," "deliberate," "intentional," not negligent. contrast, statute's language does support standard, which effectively limits normal employers who are unaware potential applicability, thereby virtually obliterates distinction between willful nonwillful violations Congress obviously intended draw. Also alternative, two-step espoused Secretary, would deemed "if employer, recognizing covered acted without reasonable basis believing complying statute." permit nothing more than negligence, or, perhaps, completely good-faith but incorrect assumption plan complied all respects, fails give effect statutory language. Pp. 131-135. 799 80 (CA 3 1986), affirmed. STEVENS J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, filed dissenting opinion, BRENNAN BLACKMUN, joined, post, p. 135. Donald B. Ayer, Sacramento, Cal., petitioner. Leon Ehrlich, Reading, Pa., respondent. Justice Court. 1 question presented concerns meaning used enforce (FLSA). provides such must "except accrued." 61 Stat. 88, 29 U.S.C. § 255(a). 2 * Respondent, manufacturer shoes boots, seven mechanics maintain repair equipment. 1984, (Secretary) complaint alleging many work weeks" had failed those employees FLSA. As affirmative defense, pleaded limitations. found, however, applied because were willful, entered requiring total $11,084.26, plus interest, employees. Donovan Richland Shoe Co., 623 F.Supp. 667 (ED Pa.1985). resolving willfulness, followed Fifth Circuit decisions developed so-called standard. explained: 4 "The has held when 'there record Stated most simply, we think should be: Did know picture?' 1142 (5th Cir.) [cert. denied, 409 948, 93 292, 34 219 (1972) ]. 5 "This awareness possible application Id.; Castillo Givens, 704 181, 193 Cir.)[, cert. 464 850, 104 160, 78 147 (1983) 'An acts willfully subjects himself year liability knows, reason know, governed FLSA.' Brennan Heard, 491 1, Cir.1974) (emphasis original). See also Sabine Irrigation 695 190, 196 463 1207, 103 3537, 77 1387 ]." F.Supp., at 670-671. 6 On appeal persuaded Third "that wrong contrary FLSA." Brock 80, 82 (1986). Adopting same 125-130, 623-626, 523 (1985), committed unless "it matter F.2d, Accordingly, vacated Court's remanded case reconsideration proper 7 petition certiorari asking us resolve post-Thurston conflict among Circuits concerning this statute.1 noted applies only recordkeeping provisions Equal Pay Act,2 Davis-Bacon Act,3 Walsh-Healey Act,4 Age Discrimination Employment (ADEA).5 Somewhat surprisingly, did endorse relied Appeals, instead invited adopt intermediate We granted certiorari, 484 813, 63, 98 27 (1987), now affirm. II 8 Because no period provided original 1938 enactment brought thereunder state statutes Portal-to-Portal 1947, 84, §§ 216, 251-262, part response expansive FLSA,6 enacted place limit employers' exposure unanticipated contingent liabilities.7 originally enacted, drew violations. 9 1965, proposed number amendments expand coverage including proposal replace statute. adopted, 1966, reasons explained legislative history, violations.8 10 fact simply extend years, two-tiered limitations, makes obvious draw significant ordinary It equally willfulness—a "was picture"—virtually any said U.S., 128, S.Ct., 625, impossible show applicability." Under seem apply ignorant employers, surely affairs Congress.9 11 common usage considered synonymous words "intentional." Roget's International Thesaurus 622.7, 479; 653.9, 501 (4th ed. 1977). widely law, and, although means been given perfectly consistent interpretation, generally understood refer statute—is Act. 12 strongest argument supporting years.10 not, consistently Circuits.11 view even shares our supported statute, readily reject it.12 13 alternative first time Relying Columbia Laffey Northwest 185 U.S.App.D.C. 322, 352-354, 567 429, 461-462 (1976), 434 1086, 1281, 55 792 (1978), she argues announce deem Brief Petitioner 41. differs from apparently make issue cases turn sought legal advice practices. would, respects. believe Secretary's new proposal, like discredited limitations.13 14 Ordinary subject To obtain benefit exception, prove employer's term defined both Thurston opinion.14 15 Affirmed. 16 whom BLACKMUN join, dissenting. 17 today imports into provision "knowing reckless" definition previously construing liquidated damages 1967 (ADEA), 81 602, amended, 621 et seq. (1985). doing so, departs traditional contextual approach "willful," ignores differences relevant Acts, accommodate remedial purpose For these reasons, I accept slightly urged 354-355, (1978). latter therefore rather appreciable possibility take steps reasonably calculated doubt. 18 have quarrel extent rejects picture" elaborated (CA5 1971), (1972). succinctly explains, permitting every picture," "virtually violations." Ante, 132—133. But focus shortcomings disingenuous, neither party instant adoption before Rather, dispute pits Shoe, D.C. earlier petitioner Labor. address until penultimate page embracing former over convincing. 19 seems rely "common usage" adopting 133, citing acknowledge, dictionary includes wide variety definitions ranging "malicious" "not accidental," precisely Secretary—under act "done ground lawful." Black's Law Dictionary 1434 1979); see United States Murdock, 290 389, 394, 54 223, 225, L.Ed. 381 (1933) (acknowledging meanings "willful"). By refusing recognize various come bear different settings, previous defining term. Spies States, 317 492, 497, 63 364, 367, 87 418 (1943), "of meanings, construction often being influenced context." Since Spies, looked context appears determine meaning. See, e.g., Screws 325 91, 101-103, 65 1031, 1035-1036, 89 1495 (1945); Bishop, 412 346, 356-361, 2008, 2015-2018, 36 941 (1973). apparent abandonment nonexistent "plain language" ante, unprecedented unwise. 20 Had properly approach, Secretary. Such revealed ADEA supra, transplant easily explicitly acknowledged choice "punitive" nature double flow ADEA. Id., 125, 623-624. case, leads punitive sanction, extended during unlawfully underpaid employee recover compensatory damages. What stake here applicability instance. Perhaps crucial distinction, expressly left open appropriate id., 127-128, n. 21, 624-625, 21. answer attractive tidiness, call standards varying Acts.* result, improperly narrow light scope 21 Just how remains seen. entirely clear will differ significantly practical adopt. Employers covers their operations fail measures doubts well "reckless" Although difficult foretell, me unlikely large defendants fall category "unreasonably" "recklessly" apprise themselves requirements 135, 13. Despite potentially small significance interpretations, cannot agree resolution case. respectfully dissent. Compare Russo Trifari, Krussman & Fishel, 837 40, 45 (CA2 1988) (applying standard); Peters Shreveport, 818 1148, 1167-1168 1987) (overruling June, applying ), dism'd, 485 930, 1101, 99 264 (1988); Walton Consumers Club, 786 303, 308-311 (CA7 1986) Shirk, 833 1326, 1329 (CA9 (adhering ); Crenshaw Quarles Drilling Corp., 798 1345, 1349-1350 (CA10 Bel-Loc Diner, 780 1113, 1117 (CA4 1985) June); Daylight Dairy Products, 779 784, 789 (CA1 Georgia Southwestern College, 765 1026, 1038-1039 (CA11 June; mention Thurston). 52 1062, 206(d)(3). 46 1494, 40 276a 49 2036, 41 35 (1982 Supp. IV). 604, 626(e)(1). Lorillard Pons, 575, 581, 8, 866, 870-871, made award discretionary mandatory authorized exemptions certain types wage plans. contended one exemptions—the exemption "Belo" plans, 207(f)—was applicable. directs memorandum placed Congressional Record Senator Taft 1974 debate alter here. 32. described then-prevailing interpretation 120 Cong.Rec. 4710 (1974). concludes "[n]otwithstanding explicit judicial amended Section 255 addressing 'willful violation' 255(a)." 33. passing reference too slender reed, think, inference draw, namely, approved enacting mentioning current failing amend reading. ease can met exemplified wrote: "[T]he vice president manager defendant aware existed systems mechanics. . Thus, Isenberg thought system applied. admission sufficient satisfy liberal requirement 667, 671 (1972); 1974); Marshall Union Pacific Motor Freight 650 1085, 1091-1093 1981); Erin Food Services, 672 229, 231 1982); Carls Drug 703 650, 652-653 1983); EEOC Central Kansas Medical Center, 705 1270, 1274-1275 1983). Hodgson Cactus Craft Arizona, 481 464, 467 1973) (willful prior warnings unkept promises compliance); 352-355, 459-462 (1976) (intermediate standard; text following footnote), (1978); KFC National Management 682 603, 605 (CA6 1982) (voluntary knows willful). present expressed her brief: "As found (469 [105 625] 'in picture' little Congress's express intent create tiers provision. Among eventually violated picture.' 'virtually applicability' (ibid.). addition, impose third firmly (albeit wrongly) practices lawful, result counter process 89th Congress." 39-40 (footnote omitted). some Airlines necessary holding, unreasonableness suffice proof knowing disregard, thus render petitioner's statement law. 126, 624. Our decision clarify point: If determining obligation, set forth. unreasonably, recklessly, then, test, so identical approve today. Of course, whether, "willful." That determination remand Appeals. bases fear undermine Congress' scheme showing "nothing negligence." ungrounded. operate face known risk operation, taking ensure compliance. mind sufficiently mere negligence structure

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