The federal government is ordering one New Jersey nursing facility to pay $260,000 in back wages and other damages after failing to pay employees for all of their hours worked.
The Department of Labor deemed the Sinai Post-Acute Nursing and Rehab Center only paid workers for scheduled shifts, and any pre-approved extra time. Employees at the Newark, NJ, provider were often forced to work after hours to transfer patients appropriately, write notes and secure medications, the DOL said Thursday. The facility also failed to accurately record hours in its payroll records.
Officials with the department’s Wage and Hour Division hope the settlement serves as a warning to other providers.
“Healthcare employees provide vital services and must be paid the wages they have legally earned,” Division District Director John Warne said in a statement. “Employers must understand their obligations and responsibilities under the law.”
Under the agreement, Sinai must pay $130,000 in back pay to 174 employees, and another $130,000 in “liquidated damages.”
Sinai did not immediately respond to a McKnight’s request for comment Thursday.
