Can the city fine employers who underpay workers?

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a councilmember Just I'm curious is there a way well can the city derive penalties from people who violate the minimum wage laws in our city as opposed to just going to recover the past due wages that have been deprived and stolen?

a speaker Yes, the Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance does allow the city to assess penalties.

a councilmember Have we done that in the past?

a speaker We have, I think we're hovering right around about a $100,000 what we've recovered over the past ten years.

a councilmember Is that limited by municipal code or state law?

a speaker I'm not sure about state law, but right now we've always used it as kind of a carrot and stick approach when we issue a notice of violation and we settle.

a speaker Many times we will waive those fees and to be able to encourage a small business to pay the workers their back wages and then the city will waive their fees.