The U.S. Department of Labor has secured a consent judgment and injunction against Mike Keim, the operator of six Teriyaki Grill locations in Utah. The court order requires Keim to pay $197,936 in back wages and damages to 20 employees following an investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah issued the order on September 18, 2024. Investigators found that Keim provided workers with two semi-monthly paychecks to circumvent paying them overtime at the rate of time and one-half their regular wage. Additionally, he failed to maintain records as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Kevin Hunt, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Salt Lake City, stated, "As operator of six Teriyaki Grill locations, Mike Keim clearly denied hard-working employees the wages they earned." He emphasized that "the outcome in this case demonstrates the Wage and Hour Division will use whatever tools are needed, including litigation, to recover workers’ wages and hold employers accountable for violating federal law."
The consent judgment stipulates that Keim must pay $98,968 in overtime wages and an equal amount in damages to 20 employees. Furthermore, he faces a civil money penalty of $2,064 for employing minors aged 14 and 15 beyond federally permitted hours.
Keim founded Teriyaki Grill in 1997 after his career as an NFL lineman. The chain currently operates ten franchise locations across Utah, with six under his management located in Draper, Lehi, Midvale, Park City, Spanish Fork, and Taylorsville.
For those who suspect they may be owed back wages collected by the division or need more information about their rights under labor laws, resources are available through the Wage and Hour Division's search tool or toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The helpline offers confidential assistance in over 200 languages.
Additionally, the agency has introduced a new Timesheet App for iOS and Android devices available in English and Spanish to help ensure accurate tracking of hours worked and compensation received.
