Massachusetts liquor store pays ex-employee $33,000 in back wages
Juan Sam, an illegal immigrant and former employee of Trio Liquors in New Bedford, Massachusetts, recently received $8,500, the first portion of the $33,000 in back wages he's owed, according to South Coast Today.
Over the summer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced the employee's complaints - that he was not paid minimum wage and did not receive overtime compensation - were investigated and substantiated. Moreover, it was uncovered that the employer subsequently threatened Sam with a death threat, which violated anti-retaliatory laws.
"Workers in the Commonwealth cannot be paid less than the required minimum wage, and they are entitled to receive all overtime due," Coakley said in a press release announcing the decision. "Employers cannot threaten workers who assert their right to proper payment and our office will continue to enforce the wage and hour laws."
Sam was required to work as many as 87 hours a week, without receiving premium pay - time-and-a-half the regular wage - as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Moreover, the employer was paying him $6.50 an hour instead of the $8.00 state minimum wage.
To avoid FLSA violations and penalties, employers can use a payroll processing system that automatically calculates minimum wages and includes overtime rates for time and attendance exceeding 40 hours.
Over the summer, Attorney General Martha Coakley announced the employee's complaints - that he was not paid minimum wage and did not receive overtime compensation - were investigated and substantiated. Moreover, it was uncovered that the employer subsequently threatened Sam with a death threat, which violated anti-retaliatory laws.
"Workers in the Commonwealth cannot be paid less than the required minimum wage, and they are entitled to receive all overtime due," Coakley said in a press release announcing the decision. "Employers cannot threaten workers who assert their right to proper payment and our office will continue to enforce the wage and hour laws."
Sam was required to work as many as 87 hours a week, without receiving premium pay - time-and-a-half the regular wage - as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Moreover, the employer was paying him $6.50 an hour instead of the $8.00 state minimum wage.
To avoid FLSA violations and penalties, employers can use a payroll processing system that automatically calculates minimum wages and includes overtime rates for time and attendance exceeding 40 hours.
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