Code of Federal Regulations Title 29. Labor § 29.779.118 Employees providing central services for multi-unit organizations

Employees providing central services for a multiunit organization may be engaged both “in commerce” and “in the production of goods for commerce” within the meaning of the Act. For example, employees engaged in work relating to the coordinated purchasing, warehousing and distribution (and in the administrative and clerical work relating to such activities) for various retail units of a chain are covered under the Act. (See Phillips Co. v. Walling, 324 U.S. 490;  Walling v. Jacksonville Paper Co., 317 U.S. 564, affirming, 128 F. 2d 935 (CA–5);  Mitchell v. C. & P. Stores, 286 F. 2d 109 (CA–5);  Mitchell v. E. G. Shinner & Co., Inc., 221 F. 2d 260 (CA–7);  Donovan v. Shell Oil Co., 168 F. 2d 776 (CA–8).) In addition, employees who regularly and recurrently correspond and maintain records of activities of out-of-State stores and such employees as traveling auditors, inventory men, window display men, etc., who regularly travel from State to State in the performance of their duties are covered under the Act. (See Mitchell v. Kroger Co., 248 F. 2d 935 (CA–8).)