US Department of Labor recovers $43K in wages, damages from San Leandro restaurant that shortchanged 24 Bay Area workers

Employer:      Angry Fish Sushi Inc.

                        16250 E 14th St.

San Leandro, CA 94578

Investigation findings: A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found the employer failed to pay overtime rates to employees paid in cash for hours over 40 in a workweek, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Investigators also found the restaurant paid a day-rate to others without regard for the number of hours worked for purposes of overtime pay requirements and failed to pay for some hours worked, which caused minimum wage violations. They also determined the owner and a manager kept a portion of employees’ tips, a common restaurant industry violation.

Wages, Damages Recovered:                       $21,937 in back wages for 24 workers

                                                                        $21,937 in liquidated damages for 24 workers

 Civil Money Penalties Assessed:                  $7,806 in penalties

Quote: “The U.S. Department of Labor will do all that’s needed to protect restaurant workers from being exploited by employers who deny them their earned overtime and steal their hard-earned wages and tips,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Francisco Ocampo in San Jose, California. “The Wage and Hour Division will not tolerate this type of misbehavior and hurtful labor practices.”

Background: Incorporated in 2015, Angry Fish Sushi is a Japanese dine-in restaurant. 

Workers can use the division’s Workers Owed Wages search tool to see if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department’s Android and iOS Timesheet App for free in English or Spanish.