Employers, take note! According to a recent report by National Economic Research Associates (NERA), companies paid out more in wage and hour settlements in 2012 than in 2011—to the tune of $467 million, an 18 percent increase. The $467 million total is only slightly higher than the five-year average of $455 million.

The report indicated that the main reason for the rise in 2012 was a wage and hour settlement Novartis Pharmaceuticals reached with 7,000 of its workers.

According to NERA, wage and hour cases are those involving workers' complaints over unpaid work, overtime pay, failure to provide meals or rest beaks, and work done outside of work hours.