McDonald’s franchisee fined for COVID-19 safety violations
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A Los Angeles McDonald’s franchisee has been fined more than $125,000 after being accused of retaliating against employees who reported COVID-19 workplace safety violations.
The California Labor Commissioner cited a McDonald’s operated by R&B Sanchez Inc. of West Covina, California, for allegedly terminating four workers from its Marengo Street, Los Angeles restaurant for reporting concerns about being exposed to COVID-19, the California Department of Labor Relations reported in a statement Wednesday.
The workers reported their concerns about unsafe working conditions to R&B Sanchez, as well as the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Los Angeles County Health Department and participated in strikes before receiving termination letters, the department said.
The commissioner issued fines totaling $125,900 in wages and penalties against R&B Sanchez and named owners Robert and Beverly Sanchez as jointly and severally liable. The fines include $45,000 in lost wages, $700 in interest and $80,000 in retaliation penalties. The commissioner also ordered that the franchisee reinstate the workers, remove any negative reference on their personnel files and post information on the citations and violations on the premises, according to the statement.
More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.
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