US Department of Labor recovers more than $500K in back wages from San Diego deli for 6 workers

SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $500,256 in back wages for six deli workers who were not paid the local minimum wage for regular hours or overtime premiums for hours worked over 40 per workweek.  

The department’s Wage and Hour Division investigated Chau Deli, operating as A Chau Sandwich, and determined that the employer paid workers a flat rate of $100 per day despite often working 11-hour days, averaging 55 hours each week. The investigation found that the regular rate of pay for these workers was less than the local minimum wage.

The division also found that workers were not paid overtime premiums for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime requirements. As a result of the investigation, each worker was paid approximately $83,000 in back wages.

“The Wage and Hour Division remains committed to upholding federal labor law protections for workers supporting themselves and their families,” said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Andrew Rogers. “The division stands ready to assist employers with understanding and complying with the laws we enforce.”

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.

Employers and workers can call the division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division. The agency’s PAID program offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Download the agency’s free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay.