US Department of Labor recovers $95K in owed wages for 33 cooks denied overtime pay at IHOP restaurants

COLUMBIA, SC - The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $95,095 in back wages for 33 cooks at three IHOP franchise locations that failed to pay overtime - as federal law requires - at locations in both North and South Carolina.

The department's Wage and Hour Divisionfound a restaurant franchise based in Westend, North Carolina violated overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Actat all three of its locations after itpaid cooks straight time for all hours worked instead of the federally-mandated time-and-one-half their regular ratefor hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. The employer - which operated all three establishments as IHOP restaurants - also maintained payroll records that falsely listed those wage payments as bonuses.

The division's investigation found these overtime violations at Foothills Hospitality LLC in Easley, South Carolina, as well as Sandhill Hospitality LLC in Southern Pines and Highland Hospitality LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Wage violations like these are all too common in the restaurant industry. Employers are encouraged to review their pay practices to ensure they pay workers in accordance with the law," said Wage and Hour Division Acting District Director Michael Gannet in Columbia, South Carolina. "The Wage and Hour Division offers assistance to help employers, regardless of the industry, understand their legal obligations."

Employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4US-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.

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including its search toolfor workers to learn if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency's free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay.