An Irwindale company that produces Sriracha hot sauce is being sued by former and current employees for failure to pay all hours worked.
Anna Valdez, a former employee of Huy Fong Foods, also included in her lawsuit claims of unsafe and unhealthy working environment in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards. Valdez filed the suit on her behalf and of other former and current employees.
Valdez’ suit claims that she and other workers were required to work under oppressively hot conditions, without proper and adequate air conditioning and ventilation.
According to Valdez, she and other workers frequently work off the clock. This included times when they came on and off their shifts and breaks at the same time, then having to wait in line for several people to clock in and out. For them to clock back in on time, they had fall in line early, spending time “under employer’s control doing a required task” while unpaid and off the clock.
Valdez’s complaint also alleges that meal breaks were late, short, or even at times missed.
Valdez left the company in May and seeks civil penalties under Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and California Labor Code.
If you have experienced wage theft or other labor law violations, you have the legal right for compensation. Examples of labor law violations include non-payment of minimum wage and overtime and failure to provide rest and/or meal breaks. Contact our employment and labor law attorneys at Mesriani Law Group if you have any questions or claims on labor code violations.
