SAN DIEGO — More than 500 Cheesecake Factory janitors who worked in restaurants in San Diego County and Orange County could be eligible to recover stolen wages.
The Department of Industrial Relations identified 60 janitorial workers who worked for companies contracted and subcontracted by the Cheesecake Factory. More than 500 janitors could be eligible to receive a portion of the settlement that totals $1 million in stolen wages.
California’s Labor Commissioner’s Office investigated the Cheesecake Factory locations and concluded that workers worked overnight without meal or rest breaks. Employees would also be subjected to manager walkthroughs in order to be released from their shifts.
The Labor Comissioner’s investigation revealed the walkthroughs would lead to more tasks, resulting in up to 10 hours of unpaid overtime each week.
"When we were working long nights cleaning the kitchen and the dining room of the restaurant, we knew the employer and the restaurant owner were taking advantage of us. It took a lot of courage to speak up and put the fear behind us, but we did, and we won,” said Naxhili Perez, a former worker at a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in San Diego. “Many companies think they can hire a contractor and avoid responsibility, but they cannot. If the law is being broken inside your company, you are responsible. Now the Cheesecake Factory understands there are no shortcuts when it comes to workers’ rights.”
Are you eligible?
You could be eligible if you worked at these locations:
- Cheesecake Factory Harbor Drive
- Cheesecake Factory Friars Road
- Cheesecake Factory Escondido
Janitorial workers are asked to call 619-213-5260 if employed by the Cheesecake Factory between August 31, 2014-August 31, 2017.
WATCH RELATED: Fast food chains are cutting jobs as California minimum wage increase takes effect
