New Jersey Restaurant that Pays Workers on Day Rate Owes $302K

The Department of Labor has recovered more than $300,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 63 workers at a Fort Lee restaurant after an investigation found the employer practices of paying workers on a “day rate” violated federal minimum wage and overtime regulations. 

Department of Labor investigators determined Aquarius Restaurant Group Corp. violated the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage and overtime requirements by:

·       Paying employees a day rate, regardless of the number of hours they worked, which led to overtime violations.

·       Using checks and cash to pay a semi-monthly salary to kitchen staff.

·       Failing to pay tipped employees time-and-one-half the regular rate of pay for hours over 40 in a workweek.  

In addition to recovering $150,805 in back wages andan equal amount in liquidated damages, the division assessed $35,274 incivil money penalties for the willful nature of the employer’s violations. 

“Most people employed in the restaurant industry work long hours to support themselves and their families and they have the right to be paid all of their earned wages,” said a Department of Labor Spokesperson. “AquariusRestaurant Group Corp. failed to fulfill their legal responsibilities and has faced the costly consequences for shortchanging their employees.”

If you believe you are victim of wage theft, please contact the attorneys at Pechman Law Group at 212-583-9500. We have recovered over 20 million dollars on behalf of workers who have been cheated out of their overtime or have been subjected to other unlawful pay practices.

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