Garment manufacturers in
counties were recently surprised with a two-day enforcement sweep conducted by
the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Economic &
Employment Enforcement Coalition. The agencies issued over 100 citations
totaling more than $600,000 to over 70 manufacturers. The employers were cited
for a variety of state labor law violations, including failure to provide wage
deduction statements, carry workers’ compensation insurance, pay minimum wage,
and register or renew licenses. Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet commented
that the agencies plan to follow up with detailed payroll audits of these manufacturers
and to seek additional back wages and penalties.
The HR Management & Compliance Report: How To Comply with California Wage & Hour Law, explains everything you need to know to stay in compliance with the state’s complex and ever-changing rules, laws, and regulations in this area. Coverage on bonuses, meal and rest breaks, overtime, alternative workweeks, final paychecks, and more.
The actions taken by 10
teams of sweep investigators included issuing 40 citations for not keeping
accurate records for three years, 28 citations for not providing wage deduction
statements, and 11 citations for not carrying workers’ comp insurance. The
manufacturers with no workers’ comp insurance were shut down on the spot, and
in some cases, investigators contacted manufacturers to arrange for their
employees to be paid their wages due immediately.