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Compromise and negotiation: <br /> This handler compensation issue must be negotiated with both the agency and <br /> handler's position/view point. Agencies and handlers should meet and confer on <br /> this issue. To prevent the demise of canine as we know it, both parties should <br /> arrive at a decision that both can live with. <br /> In order for a labor agreement between the handler and agency to be <br /> reasonable, the agreement has to take into account some approximation of hours <br /> actually worked, or reasonably required to be worked, by the employee. <br /> Officers cannot legally waive FLSA provisions. This would include waiving the <br /> FLSA two year statue of limitations. <br /> I have polled about 12,000 canine personnel throughout the United States on this <br /> FLSA at-home care issue. About 70% of our industry not only knows about FLSA <br /> at-home care compensation, but are in compliance as well. <br /> If you are in the other 30% and your agency is not in compliance with the labor <br /> law regarding handler compensation, it is inevitable that you will have one of <br /> these persons raise his ugly head, a disgruntled ex-canine handler. If your <br /> agency is not in compliance with the labor law, the handler will sue their agency <br /> and win! In addition to that one ex- handler winning, the entire canine unit will <br /> also be thrown into this action and the agency will not only owe the ex-handler, <br /> but all other handlers and ex-handlers as well. <br /> Remember, there is a two to three year statue of limitations. It is not uncommon <br /> for each handler to receive $40,000 to $80,000 each! <br /> The solution for the FLSA handler compensation for the at-home care of his dog <br /> is simple. Get into compliance. The faster you get into compliance, the faster you <br /> get past the statue of limitations. I applaud the 70% of agencies that are in <br /> compliance with Federal labor law on at-home care. It is unfortunate to see our <br /> industry with 30% of agencies not in compliance with Federal labor law on <br /> handler compensation, at-home care. <br /> I urge any agency not in compliance to get into compliance. It is time to stop this <br /> demise of police canine. <br />