LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — The U.S. Department of Labor found that a Mexican restaurant in Lynchburg didn’t pay 19 workers $198,000 in overtime, according to a report that was released on Monday.
The department says La Carreta Mexican Restaurant — which is owned by Jalisco Inc. — violated overtime and recordkeeping requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act by paying employees a regular wage for working 40 plus hours a week.
The document showed the restaurant not only failed to pay the overtime but also failed to accurately record employees’ hours.
According to the document, the department discovered “$99,480 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages,” which totaled $198,961.
“Restaurant employees are essential workers, and employers must pay them all their rightful wages to enable them to provide for their families and themselves,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Roberto Melendez. “Unfortunately, shortchanging employees’ wages is not uncommon in the restaurant industry. Employers can avoid costly violations by knowing and complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act. To help prevent future violations, the Wage and Hour Division encourages employers and workers to contact us with their questions and concerns.”
