HARRISONBURG, Va. – Several restaurants in the area have been cited and fined by the U-S Department of Labor for not paying overtime.
According to a release from the labor department, their investigation found the owners of El Charro Mexican Restaurants denied 55 workers at six locations nearly 200-thousand dollars in overtime back wages. The operators of the eateries are also accused of allowing minors to work outside the legally permitted times.
Restaurants involved in the investigation include El Charro’s on South Main Street and East Market Street in Harrisonburg, the Bridgewater location and three others outside the listening area.
In addition to the back wages, the company must pay 4000 dollars in civil penalties.
“As restaurants struggle to find the workers they need to remain competitive, they must remember that retaining and recruiting workers is harder for employers who fail to respect workers’ rights and pay them their full wages, and who violate labor laws in general,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Roberto Melendez in Richmond, Virginia. “Employers who fall short of their obligations will be held legally accountable.”
See the release here: US Department of Labor investigation finds Virginia restaurants operator denied 55 workers at 6 locations $196K in overtime back wages | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
