Arizona Restaurant to Pay $179,800 in Back Wages, Damages, And Penalties After U.S. Department of Labor Investigation

PHOENIX, AZ – After a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation revealed overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Teharu Sushi restaurant will pay $158,860 in back wages and liquidated damages to 94 employees working at three of its Arizona locations. WHD also assessed $20,940 in civil money penalties.

WHD investigators found that the Teharu Sushi restaurants in Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale failed to pay employees overtime when they worked more than 40 hours per week, as the law requires. Instead, the employer paid employees at their straight time rates, in cash, for their overtime hours. Investigators also cited the restaurants for failing to maintain accurate payroll records.

"The U.S. Department of Labor encourages all employers to review their pay practices, and to contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance," said WHD District Director Eric Murray, in Phoenix. "The resolution of cases like this helps ensure all employees are paid the wages they have legally earned, and that all employers operate on a level playing field."

The Teharu Sushi restaurants in Tempe and Scottsdale operate under the legal name In P. Inc., and in Mesa under Jung & Cho Inc.

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). Information is also available at www.dol.gov/whd including a search tool for workers who may be owed back wages collected by WHD.