MAYOR ADAMS, DCWP COMMISSIONER MAYUGA ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $2.6 MILLION IN WORKER RELIEF FROM FIVE MAJOR BUSINESSES

 

Over 3,400 Workers Will Receive Restitution for Violations of New York City’s Workplace Laws 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced more than $2.6 million in relief secured for workers from five major businesses to resolve violations of New York City’s workplace laws, including failing to give workers their schedule far enough in advance, adding hours to workers’ schedules without their consent, and more. Burlington Coat Factory, Starbucks, Tavern on the Green, Hot Topic, and Elara Caring (an in-home care services provider) will pay a combined $2.6 million in restitution to more than 3,400 workers. As part of the agreement, all companies must comply with the city’s workplace laws going forward. 

  

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means protecting workers’ rights and making sure they get every dollar they deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “The agreements we are announcing today will help put money back in people’s pockets, build on the tens of millions of dollars we’ve already secured for New Yorkers, and reinforce that our administration will always stand up for working-class families.” 

  

“We are committed to ensuring that every worker is treated fairly and that they know their rights in the workplace, including receiving a reliable schedule and paid time off,” said DCWP Commissioner Mayuga. “With these settlements, we are bringing relief to the thousands of workers who had their rights violated and holding accountable those employers that chose to violate the city’s workplace laws.”   

    

Burlington Coat Factory will pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to 865 workers from one location in the Bronx and nearly $137,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to give workers their schedules 72 hours in advance, adding hours to workers’ schedules without their consent, and violating prohibitions against on-call scheduling.   

  

Elara Caring will pay more than $913,000 in restitution to more than 2,200 workers, as well as nearly $92,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found the company violated the city’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by not allowing workers to use their paid safe and sick time as required by the law.   

   

Tavern on the Green will pay more than $150,000 in restitution to 301 workers, as well as nearly $16,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found Tavern on the Green violated the city’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law by not allowing workers to use their paid safe and sick time as required by the law.  

  

Hot Topic will pay more than $135,000 in restitution to 64 workers from one location on Staten Island, as well as $15,000 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedule, giving workers their schedules less than 72 hours in advance, and cancelling workers’ shifts on short notice.    

  

Starbucks will pay more than $112,000 in restitution to 48 workers from one location in Brooklyn, as well as $12,500 in civil penalties and costs. DCWP’s investigation found that the company violated the Fair Workweek Law by failing to get workers’ consent before adding hours to their schedule, giving employees access to hours before hiring new employees, and failure to pay premium pay.    

  

“Wage theft costs New Yorkers over $3 billion per year, and we will fight to get workers every penny they are owed. I was proud to help pass in Albany the bill to treat stolen wages the same as other stolen money and to provide full employment protections to domestic workers,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Today’s settlement to resolve wage theft and other workplace law violations brings justice to 3,400 workers, putting $2.6 million they earned into their pockets. In the midst of an affordability crisis, this will uplift thousands of our fellow New Yorkers so they can have a roof over their heads and food on the table. Together, we will support all hard-working New Yorkers and ensure that they have the respect and dignity they so rightfully deserve.” 

  

Since 2014, DCWP has received more than 13,600 complaints about potential workplace violations, closed more than 6,500 investigations, and secured more than $65 million in restitution and civil penalties for over 75,500 workers across all workplace cases. Since the start of the Adams administration, DCWP has secured more than $46 million in restitution for nearly 29,200 workers.  

  

The Workers’ Bill of Rights — a multilingual and comprehensive guide to rights in the workplace in New York City — summarizes the laws that protect workers and job applicants in New York City, regardless of immigration status. The Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information on rights enforced by DCWP, like Paid Safe and Sick Leave, the Fair Workweek Law, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the city’s Delivery Worker Laws, as well as rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, like minimum wage and the right to organize. It also includes information about who to contact for more information or with questions, as well as how to file a complaint. Workers and employers can visit DCWP’s workers’ rights page or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside New York City) for more information about the laws that DCWP enforces or to file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for filing complaints.