Boston Grocery Store Cited for Failing to Properly Pay Employees

Photo Credit: Flickr

A Roslindale grocery store and its owners have agreed to pay more than $300,000 in citations for failing to properly pay their employees in violation of the state’s wage and hour laws, and for hindering an investigation, Attorney General Maura Healey announced.

Baby Nat’s, Inc. has agreed to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution to workers and more than $100,000 in penalties for not paying proper overtime rates, Sunday premium pay rates, failing to keep accurate payroll records, and failing to issue suitable pay slips to employees.

The penalties also include a $15,000 citation for hindering an investigation by trying to coerce employees to either lie to or refuse to communicate with the AG’s Office.

“This business repeatedly took advantage of its workers by failing to pay them the hard-earned money they were owed,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to make sure that workers in Massachusetts know their rights and don’t fall victim to unfair employment practices.”

A complaint from a former employee in January of 2015 sparked the AG’s investigation. Investigators determined that, from January 2012 to February 2015, a total of 21 employees were not paid the proper overtime rate, and 23 employees were not paid the required Sunday premium pay (a rate of pay no less than one and one-half times their regular hourly rate).

The investigation also revealed that, despite receiving inquiries from employees, Baby Nat’s historically refused to pay overtime wages to its employees, the majority of them low-income, non-English speaking Latino workers. The state’s Overtime Law requires employers to pay qualifying employees time and one half their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a work week.