Judge Orders Auto Shop Owner to Pay Nearly $40,000 for Retaliating Against Employees

The owner of an auto repair shop in Georgia paid a former employee $915 in 91,500 oily pennies and defamed him after he filed a complaint with the Department of Labor.
The Department of Labor found the owner's business violated federal overtime laws and he owed backpay to nine current and former employees.
A judge ordered the owner to pay nearly $40,000 in back wages and damages to the employees.
The owner must also remove references to the former employee he retaliated against from the company's website and social media and post the court judgment in the shop.
The Department of Labor said employee complaints to the agency are protected, and the ruling sends a message to employers who violate wage laws or retaliate against workers.