The Boston Market restaurant chain has been cited for late payment of wages, failure to pay minimum wage, records violations, failure to pay earned sick leave and failure to maintain records for earned sick leave. The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development on Aug. 14 issued stop-work orders to 27 Boston Market restaurants for multiple violations of workers’ rights. According to the DOL, it received almost three dozen complaints from Boston Market workers and its investigators found $607,471 in back wages owed to more than 300 workers.  

After back wages and penalties have been paid, the orders may be lifted. “Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers, or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. An employer may appeal a stop-work order, in which case NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing. Boston Market has requested a hearing,” a statement from the department said. 

“With restaurants across the country, Boston Market needs to set a better example for fair treatment of its workers,” said Joseph Petrecca, assistant commissioner of DOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance.