Upstate Restaurant violated Labor Standards

Two Upstate restaurants have been ordered to pay a total of nearly $75,000 in back wages to 13 employees, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Labor. The department’s wage and hour division found El Jimador Mexican Restaurants in Clemson and Westminster to have low-wage employees who were working “off the books.” The restaurants were also found to be in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act’s overtime, minimum wage and record-keeping provisions at both locations.  Investigators said the hourly wage paid amounted to less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, and the employees were forced to buy their uniforms with money illegally deducted from their wages.  Investigators said the restaurants did not pay appropriate overtime wages and failed to keep required records. In addition to paying the back wages owed, the restaurants agreed to maintain future compliance.