BOLI, or the Bureau of Labor and Industries is taking Stanich’s restaurant to court.
Claims for unpaid wages, violations of labor law, etc. are for almost $22,000. Of course, Stanich’s is contesting the determination, and instead of the typical BOLI arbitration, are demanding a court hearing. Two former employees who are owed wages have also filed civil rights complaints alleging they were fired for opposing Stanich’s illegal pay practices.
On behalf of an old employer, I’ve been on the receiving end of a BOLI investigation, and it’s no fun. On the other hand, if the evidence is enough to take it to this level, they feel the case is very strong. I wouldn’t like to be Stanich’s right now.
Somewhat telling, is this paragraph from the BOLI press release:
BOLI’s investigator was repeatedly rebuffed by Stanich’s in attempts to inspect the payroll documentation that the employer claims will show their compliance. When the investigator was able to meet with Stanich’s attorney, no documents were available and it came to the investigator’s attention that the required employment law postings were not displayed at the restaurant. Stanich’s continues to deny any wrongdoing, despite statements from witnesses, including a former manager and a former bookkeeper, confirming that employees routinely went unpaid for hours worked.
“BOLI has accumulated substantial evidence of this employer violating wage and hour laws,” Avakian continued. “We will continue to push for the thousands of dollars owed to these wage claimants, while thoroughly investigating the allegations of retaliation filed with the Civil Rights Division.'”
Someone is running scared.
L'epicier says
Somehow their burgers manage to taste pretty good which is amazing considering the cheapo ingredients they are made of. Costco American cheese? Can’t get worse than that. Still I have to go there once every third year or so to get my fix.
Unbelievably lame to not pay people, then stiff theBOLI folks. They must’ve really screwed this up.
pdxyogi says
I used to have a tenant who was a BOLI restaurant investigator. She was a deadbeat who suddenly refused to pay rent, she lied and evaded me left and right, and I had to evict her. Including damage from her charming cats, she left me holding the bag to the tune of $1275.
Ironic, huh?
sustainability_is_not_hype says
pdxyogi, what the heck does your charming little story have to do with stanich’s refusal to let boli look at their books. do you not want restaurant workers to be payed whats owed them?