A luxury apartment property owner in San Jose’s Japantown neighborhood was accused of denying maintenance employees overtime pay and failing to accurately track workers’ earnings, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
An investigation announced Wednesday in a news release said Miraido Village LLC, the operator and owner of Miraido Village Apartments, didn’t pay employees overtime wages required by law when they worked more than 40 hours in a week. Investigators said the employer knowingly violated the law and knew they were legally obligated to pay overtime. Employees worked more than 50 hours a week on average.
Seven workers received $71,338 in back wages and damages due to the investigation, according to the agency.
“Employers who shortchange workers hurt the very people on whom they depend,” said Wage and Hour District Director Susana Blanco. “In this case, maintenance workers served the many needs of the complex’s tenants and the property. The property’s owner chose to violate the law and has learned — as will others who willfully violate labor laws — that wage theft has very serious consequences.”
Employees can contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions, regardless of immigration status, and call 866-487-9243 for more information on the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws. Workers can also use a search tool if they think they are owed back wages.