The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $43,874 in back wages and damages from Angry Fish Sushi Inc., a San Leandro-based restaurant, following an investigation that found the employer had violated labor laws affecting 24 workers.

According to the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, the restaurant failed to pay overtime rates for employees who were paid in cash for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. This practice contravenes the Fair Labor Standards Act. Additionally, some employees were compensated with a day-rate regardless of hours worked, leading to further violations related to overtime pay requirements and minimum wage standards. Investigators also discovered that both the owner and a manager had kept portions of employees' tips.

The department has secured $21,937 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages for the affected workers. Furthermore, Angry Fish Sushi Inc. faces civil money penalties amounting to $7,806.

“The U.S. Department of Labor will do all that’s needed to protect restaurant workers from being exploited by employers who deny them their earned overtime and steal their hard-earned wages and tips,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Francisco Ocampo in San Jose, California. “The Wage and Hour Division will not tolerate this type of misbehavior and hurtful labor practices.”

Angry Fish Sushi Inc., incorporated in 2015, is a Japanese dine-in restaurant located at 16250 E 14th St., San Leandro, CA.

Workers can use the division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool to determine if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Both employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. To ensure accurate tracking of hours worked and pay received, individuals can download the department’s Timesheet App available for Android and iOS devices in English or Spanish.