Latest Wage Enforcement Program case brings over $12,000 of restitution to Santa Monica workers
DCBA’s Wage Enforcement Program, in partnership with Santa Monica’s City Attorney’s Office, helped 23 hotel and retail workers in Santa Monica receive full restitution for unpaid wages.
The cases were against Loews Hotel and Flowers and Hewes, Inc, a retail store within the hotel.
DCBA investigator Rudy Saenz conducted an extensive investigation and uncovered significant wage-related violations, finding some employees were paid as little as $2.86 per hour.
Investigator Saenz, in coordination with City prosecutors, administratively charged both Loews and Flowers & Hewes with multiple counts of Santa Monica minimum-wage-related violations.
After being charged, both Loews and Flowers & Hewes admitted to every charged wage violation and agreed to pay full restitution to the 23 affected employees (totaling over $12,000), and $9,210 in penalties.
“Employers must pay their workers fairly and comply with all wage laws,” said Joseph M. Nicchitta, DCBA’s interim director. “DCBA’s Wage Enforcement investigators and counselors work tirelessly to promote a fair marketplace. We appreciate our partners in the City of Santa Monica for allowing us to help workers in the city earn a fair wage, and ensure that employers who follow the law do not face unfair competition from those who skirt the rules.”
Santa Monica has contracted DCBA to enforce their city’s wage ordinance. Santa Monica’s hotel minimum wage rate was $13.25 as of July 1, 2016 and $15.66 as of July 1, 2017.
To report wage violations, or for questions on the wage ordinance in L.A. County, contact our Wage Enforcement Program at (800) 593-8222 or online here.
