Visalia motel workers get overtime settlement

The owner of a Motel 6 in Visalia will pay eight of his employees more than $30,000 in back wages and penalties to settle federal allegations that he violated wage and overtime laws.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a settlement Tuesday for Bhole Shiv Inc., the operator of the Motel 6 on Noble Avenue near Linwood Avenue.

The company will pay $15,427 in back wages, and another $15,427 in damages, to five housekeepers, two front desk clerks and one maintenance worker. The company allegedly failed to compensate the employees for all of their hours worked, including overtime violations when they worked more than 40 hours in a week.

The Department of Labor also said the company incorrectly classified the maintenance worker as an independent contractor instead of an employee, and paid him less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 10:51 AM with the headline "Visalia motel workers get overtime settlement."