Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is cracking down on Boston Market, slapping the fast-casual chain with over $100,000 in fines for wage violations. The owner, Jingnesh "Jay" Pandya, and his company are being held responsible for failing to pay their employees on time and not providing accurate payroll records to the state's top prosecutor. "Boston Market repeatedly denied their employees timely payment of wages, which workers and their families depend on for economic security and stability," AG Campbell said, according to the official report from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
The fines, which total $104,000, come after several complaints triggered a deeper look by the Attorney General's Fair Labor Division (FLD) into the restaurant's practices. An ongoing issue, the FLD found that complaints continued to surface regarding the late payment of wages—breaching Massachusetts’s wage and hour laws that require employers to pay employees within six days of a pay period’s end. Campbell's actions reinforce her commitment to worker rights, having previously announced hefty citations against Dunkin' franchises and a day-care for various labor law infractions.
Employees struggling to make ends meet due to late payments prompted this latest enforcement. Campbell's office is adamant about maintaining a fair labor market, with the Attorney General stating, "My office will continue to hold accountable those who violate our wage and hour laws." This matter was led by Assistant Attorney General Tallulah Knopp and Investigator Sheilyn Gonzalez, who are both members of the AG's Fair Labor Division, as detailed in the announcement.
The crackdown is part of a broader initiative by the Attorney General to ensure workers receive due wages, benefits, and protections. Those who feel their employment rights have been infringed are urged to contact the AG’s Fair Labor Hotline or visit the official website for guidance and resources available in multiple languages. With the spotlight on such violations, the message to employers across Massachusetts is clear: Wage laws are not to be taken lightly.
