Pontiac Supermarket Agrees To Back Overtime Pay In Federal Settlement

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The operators of Carnival Market in Pontiac have agreed for the second time in four years to pay overtime wages to employees that the U.S. Department of Labor says remained unpaid between 2021 and 2023, federal officials announced Monday.

It follows another settlement for unpaid overtime in 2020 that the labor department claims led to retaliation against employees.

Carnival Market, a specialty Mexican supermarket and restaurant, has settled with the department for $192,500, which includes paying $91,250 in back wages to 12 employees, the same amount in liquidated damages and $10,000 in other damages and penalties, according to a news release.

The Labor Department claims the operators of Carnival Market interfered with the investigation by instructing workers not to talk to investigators or tell them there were no labor violations.

"Employers who shortchange their workers also harm local economies by reducing the amounts workers can spend day-to-day," said Wage and Hour Division District Director Timolin Mitchell in a statement. "Wage theft is a common problem, especially for low-wage workers who may be afraid to question their employers' pay practices or to share their concerns with authorities."

Attorneys representing Carnival Market did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The settlement says the operators have agreed to the terms "for the purpose of resolving this matter in an amicable manner."