State of New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development

12/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/11/2024 14:42

NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Order to Atlantic City Convenience Store for Employee Misclassification and Wages Owed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 11, 2024

TRENTON - Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development's (NJDOL) Division of Wage and Hour Compliance issued the following stop-work order on December 2, 2024:

Employer: Kings Grocery & Deli

Work Location: 1301 Adriatic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Nature of Work: Convenience store/deli

SWO Category: General Enforcement

Details: On December 3, 2024, the employer hand delivered a check to NJDOL headquarters for all wages, fees, and penalties owed, after which the stop-work order was lifted

Violations: Unpaid overtime; no records provided; posting; hinderance; no Earned Sick Leave records; notification/posting for Earned Sick Leave; failing to properly classify employee; unpaid wages

Monetary Assessments: Wages $2,209.04; Fees $220.90; Penalties $800

Workers Affected: 1

NJDOL has issued 178 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019.

Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. In General Enforcement cases, an assessment is made against a company found to be in violation of Wage and Hour laws and regulations. If the employer fails to contest or pay the assessment within the statutory time period, a stop-work order may be issued after a seven-day notice is served upon the employer. The stop-work order remains in place until the award is paid in full by the employer.

NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued. Workers are to be paid during the time the stop-work order is in effect, for a period of up to 10 days. The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and administrative fees have been paid and all related issues have been resolved.

For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.

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