A restaurant in Bellevue, Washington underpaid workers for overtime worked, the U.S. Labor Department said in a news release.
An investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division found that The Roll Pod restaurant evaded overtime requirements by giving workers a "bonus" when they worked over 40 hours which was less than they legally owed.
"The division’s investigation led to the recovery of $67,699 in back wages found due and an equal amount in liquidated damages for a total of $135,399 for 23 workers," the news release said. "The willful nature of the violations also led to an assessment $1,450 in civil money penalties."
A 2020 investigation by the State of Washington recovered $13,121 in overtime wages for two workers, the news release said.
"Many restaurant industry employers shortchange vulnerable workers, depriving them of their full earnings and making it difficult for them to care for themselves and their families,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Thomas Silva in Seattle said in a statement. “Employers who evade the law, exploit workers and cheat their competitors will be held accountable and face costly consequences for their actions.”
The Wage and Hour Division has conducted more than 2,650 investigations in the drinking and eating establishments industry in the Western Region since 2016, recovering $24 million in back wages for more than 15,300 employees, the news release said.
"Workers can call the Wage and Hour Division confidentially with questions – regardless of their immigration status – and the department can speak with callers in more than 200 languages," the news release said.
For more information call the toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).
