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FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The United States Department of Labor barred two Framingham restaurant owners from "threatening or retaliating against employees" amid an investigation into their payroll practices, according to a press release Tuesday.
A DOL complaint alleged owners of Samba Steak and Sushi and China Gourmet discouraged their employees from speaking to investigators. They also allegedly had employees sign records misrepresenting how many hours they worked.
Under the new injunction, owners Shi Yun Zhang and Risheng Xu can not bar employees from speaking to investigators or order them to lie about their pay.
“The preliminary injunction in this case ensures that Samba’s workers can stand up for their rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act without the fear of negative consequences," Regional Solicitor of Labor Maia Fisher said in the press release.
Wage and Hour Division investigators launched a probe in 2022.
Investigators said the owners "violated the FLSA by not paying proper overtime compensation and keeping records of workers’ pay and hours."
The DOL filed suit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Litigation is ongoing.
The restaurants paid more than $250,000 in back wages in 2020 following a Wage and Hour Division investigation, according to the press release.
At the time, the owners promised to comply with the FLSA.
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