Food chains Panda Express, Au Bon Pain and 7-Eleven to pay $5M in settlements
Photo courtesy of the NYC DCWP
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has secured nearly $5 million in restitution for workers and civil penalties from three major restaurant chains, following months of investigation into violations of the City’s Fair Workweek Law. The settlements were reached with Panda Express, Au Bon Pain, and 7-Eleven’s “Raise the Roost.”
Under the Fair Workweek Law, fast food employers in New York City are required to give workers regular schedules, premium pay for schedule changes, the opportunity to decline additional work hours and the chance to take up newly available shifts before new workers are hired. Employers also must provide work schedules 14 days in advance that are consistent with regular schedules. These measures are meant to ensure a healthy work-life balance for fast food employees.
Panda Express will pay $3.15 million in restitution to more than 1,400 workers, along with $300,000 in civil penalties. A worker who was fired in retaliation for exercising his rights under the Fair Workweek Law will receive more than $8,000 in back pay.