The U.S. Labor Department Busts Joe’s Jeans

Have you ever received a phone call from someone you placed who wound up working under unfit conditions?  It’s comforting to know that maltreated workers can sometimes find justice.

In California, the clothing manufacturer Joe’s Jeans decided to violate labor laws.  They eschewed the minimum wage requirements, preferring to pay their workers on a piece to piece basis.  By paying workers this way, workers received wages significantly below the minimum wage.   Overtime work was unacknowledged, and employers did not document the extensive work that their employees completed during the weekends.

An investigation by the U.S. Labor Department discovered these egregious labor practices and negotiated a settlement in which the company is now paying $158,952 in back wages owed to 110 garment workers who worked for one of the company’s Los Angeles-based sewing contractors.

It’s always good to be able to remind workers of the rights they are guaranteed in this country.  Covered employees must be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, plus time and one-half their regular rates of pay for hours worked over 40 per week. Employers must maintain accurate time and payroll records.