BELMAR, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $84,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 13 workers and assessed $4,459 in penalties after its investigation determined a Jersey Shore steakhouse owner violated federal overtime regulations deliberately.
Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division learned Dariusz Targonski, the owner of Flames Brazilian Steakhouse in Belmar, paid hourly employees straight-time wages for all hours worked, including hours over 40 in a workweek when an overtime rate applied. The division also found that the employer failed to pay non-exempt, salaried employees overtime and did not maintain required payroll records.
“People employed in the restaurant industry often work long hours to support themselves and their families and they deserve to be paid the wages they’ve earned,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Charlene Rachor in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
“Wage theft is a serious issue and the U.S. Department of Labor is determined to hold industry employers like Dariusz Targonski accountable when they mistakenly believe they can violate workers’ rights and gain an unfair advantage over their competitors.”The back wages recovered and damages and penalties assessed resolved the employer’s willful violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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