In a DOL vs East Moon Asian Bistro case, federal authorities have successfully recovered $242,579 in unpaid wages for 72 employees at a Westminster-based restaurant, East Moon Asian Bistro, operated by Lychen Inc. This outcome follows an investigation that revealed multiple violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
Investigators determined that the restaurant failed to pay its workers the legally mandated minimum wage, withheld employees’ tips unlawfully, and denied overtime pay to those who worked more than 40 hours per week. Furthermore, the establishment failed to maintain accurate records of employees’ working hours, as required by law. It was also found that the restaurant mishandled employee tips, depriving them of their intended distribution to non-tipped and non-managerial staff.
Lessons learned from this case:
- Employers must comply with minimum wage, overtime, and tip-sharing regulations stipulated by labor laws to protect the rights and well-being of their employees.
- Maintaining accurate records of employees’ working hours is not just a legal requirement but also crucial for transparency and accountability within the workplace.
- This case underscores the importance of workers standing up for their rights and reporting violations to relevant authorities, such as the Wage and Hour Division, which can assist in multiple languages while ensuring confidentiality.
If you want to know more about overtime regulations, read our guide on Colorado Overtime Laws.
