Nino Salvaggio’s St. Clair Shores Store Ordered To Pay Back Wages

After falling under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, Nino Salvaggio Fruit and Vegetable Markets, operator of grocery stores in St. Clair Shores, Clinton Township and Troy, agreed to pay $135,657 in back overtime wages and interest to 212 employees to resolve a federal lawsuit.

Wage and House investigators investigated workers’ claims, finding that Nino Salvaggio declined to pay them breaks under 20 minutes. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay workers if a break is shorter than 20 minutes, and can also lead to overtime being miscalculated, according to a U.S. Labor Department release. The practice impacted overtime, and also led to recordkeeping violations because the excluded time was never recorded. The violations affected workers at all three Salvaggio’s locations, including the one in St. Clair Shores, according to the labor department.

“Employees depend on receiving the wages they have rightfully earned,” said Wage and Hour District Director Timolin Mitchell. “Wage violations can be avoided when employers understand the rules. We encourage employers to contact the Wage and Hour Division for guidance on laws governing rest breaks and any other requirements so they can avoid violations. The division offers many tools to help employers comply with the law.”

In accepting a consent judgment handed down by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Salvaggio’s brings the federal lawsuit to an end, and will compensate workers for their unpaid time, for overtime, and for interest. For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

Photo via Nino Salvaggio’s.