Restaurant Owner’s Manual Issued By Tompkins County Workers’ Center

The Tompkins County Workers’ Center has issued a basic guide to labor and employment laws in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  The “Restaurant Owner's Manual” provides a review of laws pertaining to hiring practices, minimum wage, tips, overtime, payroll, uniforms, record keeping, employment discrimination, harassment, and disability law.  The “Restaurant Owner’s Manual” was compiled in response to a Department of Labor investigation which found 17 Tompkins County restaurants in violation of labor and employment laws.  Those violations included: failing to pay minimum wage; making illegal deductions from workers’ paychecks; underpayment for uniform purchase and maintenance; meal compensation; incomplete records; and minor infractions.