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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., parent company of Family Dollar, has been cited $1.5 million in penalties for more than 3,900 violations of the state’s meal break laws.
According to Attorney General Maura Healy, Family Dollar employees had been routinely complaining about not being given proper meal breaks because of persistent staffing shortages. These employees were continuously asked to stay at work during their lunch breaks.
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Under Massachusetts’ breaks and time laws, employees who work six hours a day are entitled to a 30-minute meal break. During that break, workers must be able to leave the workplace and cannot perform any duties, otherwise it is considered a violation.
“Workers give us their time, energy, and efforts to keep businesses running and our economy afloat,” said AG Healey. “These citations should send a message to all companies that they need to do right by their employees and provide meal breaks consistent with the law.”
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The AG’s office estimates these violations have affected 620 employees across 100 locations in Massachusetts and that most of these violations occurred in low-income neighborhoods. Any Family Dollar workers who believe their rights have been violated are encouraged to file a complaint.
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