Woods Stables Hit With Labor Fine

Florida-based Eddie Woods Stables has paid a fine of nearly $40,000 and reimbursed more than $26,000 to some employees after being found in violation of labor provisions of the H-2B visa program.

According to a release from the Department of Labor, the operation near Ocala, Fla., paid a civil penalty of $39,293 and another $26,514 in wages to 42 employees.

The release stated that investigators determined the horse operation had advertised a stable attendant position for 40 hours a week to American applicants "when the employer, in fact, intended the selected employees to work 48 hours per week. In addition, the employer advertised a job to U.S. workers at the locally prevailing wage rate, as required, but paid the selected foreign workers at a higher rate.

"Advertising the job at a lower rate than would actually be paid could produce a chilling effect on the number of U.S. applicants," the release continued.

The Department of Labor investigators also found the employer "failed to reimburse the H-2B workers for the cost of their transportation from their home countries to the worksite by the halfway point of the contract period as required."

Woods said the violations occurred in 2018-19 and that he paid the fine and reimbursements last year. The department release was sent June 25.

Woods said the discrepancy over the 40 hours versus 48 hours was the result of information placed in the ad by his attorney. The horseman said he supports the department's efforts to try to have more Americans employed but that it can be difficult to find local workers.

"It did happen, and I was doing everything under the instructions of my attorney, and I did everything they told me to do," Woods said.