Boston Market Reopens 27 New Jersey Locations After Forced Government Shutdown
The ongoing saga of the fast-casual restaurant chain Boston Market continues.
Last month, the New Jersey Department of Labor closed 27 locations.
The Department forced the closure of 27 locations of the chain in New Jersey and fined the company almost $2.6 million in back wages, liquidated damages, and administrative damages. The penalties stem from complaints made by dozens of employees to the department's Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance.
The Department issued a statement on the penalty.
"The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued 27 stop-work orders to Boston Market locations across the state after finding multiple violations of workers’ rights, including more than $600,000 in back wages owed to 314 workers. The investigation was prompted when the NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance received a complaint in November 2022 from a Boston Market worker at 770 Route 33 in Hamilton, Mercer County. Since then, nearly three dozen additional complaints have been received naming several New Jersey Boston Market locations. Initial findings included citations for unpaid/late payment of wages, hindrance of the investigation, failure to pay minimum wage, records violations, failure to pay earned sick leave, and failure to maintain records for earned sick leave."
New Jersey locations ordered to close
Below is the complete list of Boston Market locations that were issued a stop-work order:
- 491 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ 07031
- 314 Essex Street, Lodi, NJ 07644
- 180 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07602
- 21-20 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
- 321 Broad Street, Ridgefield, NJ 07657
- 20 Wycoff Avenue, Waldwick, NJ 07463
- 395 NJ-17, Mahwah, NJ 07430
- 175 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson, NJ 07630
- 275 Livingston Street, North Vale, NJ 07647
- 471 Central Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018
- 247 NJ-10 East, Succasunna, NJ 07876
- 332 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ 07936
- 1160 US-46, Clifton, NJ 07013
- 1342 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07012
- 523 Chestnut Street Union, NJ 07083
- 770 Route 33, Hamilton, NJ 08619
- 1729 N. Olden Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ 08638
- 300 Rt-18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
- 878 US Rt. 1 North Bound, Edison, NJ 08817
- 1560 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, NJ 07001
- 4159 US 9, Howell, NJ 07731
- 1103 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
- 900 Easton Avenue #165, Somerset, NJ 08873
- 514 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
- 5716 Blackhorse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012
- 891 Hurffville Road, Woodbury, NJ 08096
- 301 S. Main Road, Vineland, NJ 08360
"With restaurants across the country, Boston Market needs to set a better example for fair treatment of its workers,” Joseph Petrecca, assistant commissioner of the department’s Division of Wage and Hour Contract Compliance
Reopening
According to the New Jersey Department of Labor, the locations have been allowed to reopen after 314 employees received more than $630,000 in back wages.
"We’re glad this investigation resulted in every dollar making it into the pockets of those who earned the money. Hopefully this action puts other bad actors on notice: ‘If you don't pay your workers, we will shut you down,'" New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo
There are at least two other lawsuits over unpaid wages, one in Massachusetts and another in Arizona. The chain also faced legal action from US Foods, alleging a debt exceeding $11 million.
The restaurant chain has almost 300 locations across the United States and was once owned by McDonald's. At its peak, it had 1,200 locations.
Your thoughts
Do you like to eat at Boston Market? Are you glad the State has stood up for employees? Should tighter controls exist in the hospitality industry and how workers are treated?
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