From the boardroom to the courtroom, there are ample examples of the misuse of statistics despite accurate calculations. Graphical and numerical descriptive statistics are wonderful tools to summarize large data sets, to condense huge amounts of information into concise charts and single values. However, the values reported must be interpreted correctly and used appropriately.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently made an announcement regarding the outcome of a groundbreaking case, Walsh v. East Penn Manufacturing Co, Inc., DC-PA. In this landmark verdict, a jury has granted more than $22 million in back wages to approximately 7,500 employees of a battery manufacturer. This award represents the largest recorded verdict under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Additionally, the DOL, as the plaintiff, intends to seek an equal amount in liquidated damages and an injunction mandating future FLSA compliance by the battery manufacturer.