NEW YORK – A Queens-based
operator of residential nursing homes and adult care facilities, including
one in Dutchess County, will pay a total of over $2 million in back wages
and liquidated damages to 844 underpaid employees required overtime and
for all hours worked at the company’s facilities in Pawling, Chittenango,
Guilderland, Queens and Rome between 2013 and 2016.
Parent company, The Grand Healthcare System, will have to pay $315,137
to 298 employees at The Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care at Dutchess,
doing business as The Grand at Pawling.
“There was no excuse for this company’s continued disregard
for federal (law) and for the rights of its workforce,” said Mark
Watson, administrator for the Wage and House Division’s Northeast
region of the US Department of Labor.
The fines stem from a consent order followed a federal investigation of
alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition to the
$2 million in back wages and damages, the company will also pay $133,470
in civil money penalties to the department an take enhanced corrective
action to prevent future violations.
