Following a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation and federal court trial, four restaurants operating under the name Gina La Fornarina and their owner Paola Pedrignani have paid $363,284 in back wages and liquidated damages to 109 employees, resolving violations of overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WHD investigators found that the business failed to aggregate hours for overtime purposes when employees worked at multiple locations or performed two different roles at the same location in the same workweek, with employees receiving separate checks for work in each location. The employer also paid certain kitchen employees and pizza chefs on a salaried basis without paying overtime when they worked more than 40 hours in a workweek.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, following a bench trial, ruled that the violations were willful and ordered the defendants to pay the back wages and damages. The restaurants and Pedrignani have paid the full amount as well as court costs and post-judgment interest.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at http://www.dol.gov/whd including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the Division.