Department of Labor finds Giordano’s pizza franchise denied legally earned wages to 24 employees, pays $120K in back wages

Summary:

The Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor has investigated Giordano's, a pizza franchise with 64 locations in nine states, including Florida. The investigation revealed that the company failed to pay its employees correctly, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The company claimed that a third-party service provider was responsible for managing payroll, but the provider did not raise concerns about the employer's practices. The Division found that the employer failed to pay employees at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The investigation is ongoing, and the Division encourages employers to use its free online tools and hotline to ensure compliance with the law.