Four restaurants in Minneapolis, all part of Boludo Holding Co., have reached an agreement to pay $105,784 in back wages due to labor violations identified by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Key among these violations was the wrongful termination of an employee who assisted during the investigation.
Labor Violations Identified
The Department’s Wage and Hour Division uncovered multiple breaches of the Fair Labor Standards Act at the restaurants—Boludo El 38, Boludo Downtown, Boludo Uptown, and Boludo Como.
These infractions primarily involved improper overtime payments, leaving 51 staff members short-changed to the tune of $44,915 in wages they had rightfully earned.
One individual at the Uptown location lost their job in retaliation for cooperating with the inquiry.
Retaliation and Legal Violations
The District Director of the Wage and Hour Division in Minneapolis highlighted the gravity of retaliating against employees participating in protected activities, describing such actions as significant legal violations.
The Department remains steadfast in its dedication to protecting workers from retaliation and ensuring they receive the full compensation they deserve for their work.
Total Compensation and Penalties
In addition to reimbursing the overdue $44,915 in earned wages, the restaurant owners are liable for an equivalent sum in liquidated damages, bringing the grand total owed to $89,830 for the affected employees.
On top of that, the Department has imposed civil penalties of $15,954 for child labor violations and issues related to tip retention.
This case is part of a larger effort to identify and remedy common labor issues within the food service industry across the Midwest, reinforcing the Department of Labor’s commitment to safeguarding employees’ rights.
Source: Insurancejournal.com
