DOL Finds Florida Franchisee Guilty of Labor Law Violations, Orders the Payment of Back Wages

According to reporting from the Business Journal, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) has found a franchisee in northeast Florida in violation of multiple federal labor regulations. The franchisee, a restaurant located in Jacksonville, has been charged with violating both the minimum wage and overtime rules of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As a result of the findings, the franchisee has been ordered to pay back several dozen employees nearly $160,000 in collective back wages.

The Importance of Labor Law Compliance

Businesses must always ensure that they are in compliance will all applicable state and federal labor regulations. After all, these laws provide important protections not only for employees, but for employers as well. If a company falls out of compliance, there could be significant penalties. Further, businesses may lose some of the legal protections that they were relying on. The bottom line is that employers need to remember the following important principle: Non-compliance will cost your business a lot of money in the long-run. Obviously, intentional non-compliance must always be avoidable. Though, non-compliance is often not intentional. In many cases, it occurs because of simple inattention or internal confusion. This is an especially concerning problem because labor law is in a constant state of flux. It is important that your company is able to keep all labor policies up to date. Additionally, it is critical that all individual managers are acting in accordance with your company’s policy. If one of your managers goes rogue and violated labor law, your company may still ultimately bear the liability. Employers must always keep a close eye on the business.

How Can a Business Law Attorney Help?

No business owner or operator wants to deal with litigation. Being sued is a major financial hassle for a business. Employment litigation, in particular, can be both costly and time-consuming. Fortunately, companies can take proactive steps that will dramatically reduce the risk of litigation. By properly structuring your legal relationship with your employees, you can help strengthen your company. When it comes to labor compliance, an experienced Florida business law attorney can help you set up the appropriate legal structure. Some of the specific ways your attorney will help your company include:

• Drafting and reviewing employee handbooks and manuals;
• Drafting and review employment contracts, including non-disclosure agreements and non-compete agreements;
• Helping your company set up a process for internally handling employee complaints in an efficient manner;
• Assisting your business in preparing for issues involving employee injuries and workers’ compensation claims; and
• Dealing with relevant state and federal regulations, including the WARN Act, FLSA and whistleblower laws.

Contact Our Office Today

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach business litigation attorneys have helped protect the rights of many companies throughout Florida. If you have questions about labor law compliance or are involved in any type of legal dispute, please contact our office today. We will review your case for free, with no additional obligations to you. Our firm represents businesses throughout the region, including in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Resource:

bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/11/17/metro-diner-franchise-ordered-to-pay-154k-in-back.html