US Department of Labor recovers $184K in tips, back wages, damages for 56 low-wage workers at 2 New Hampshire restaurants

Summary:

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recovered $184,008 in tips, back wages, and liquidated damages for 56 restaurant employees at My Cielo Taqueria in New Hampshire. The division found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, including:

Managers participating in tip pools and keeping tips from online orders
Failure to pay overtime to salaried employees and improper overtime payment to hourly employees
Failure to compensate hourly employees for all hours worked
Employment of three 15-year-olds in excess of hours restrictions

The department also assessed and collected $5,356 in civil money penalties for child labor and tip violations. The agency emphasizes the importance of compliance with federal labor laws to prevent costly consequences and promotes resources for employers and employees to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions.