A New York McDonald's franchise owner agreed to fork over nearly $500,000 to employees who were forced to engage in unlawful practices like working "off the clock," and paying the difference out of their own pockets if a cash register was short.
According to New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who spoke with Reuters on Tuesday, the settlement stems from an ongoing probe into the reported labor law breaches at a handful of fast-food restaurants.
Franchisee Richard Cisneros, who owned seven McDonald's restaurants, will have to pay for damages and interests to over 1,600 employees, Reuters reported.
"I value my employees - and it is important to me that they be paid correctly," Cisneros wrote in a statement emailed to the news organization. Cisneros also added that his company had righted various "mistakes" and are complying with the state's investigation.
The settlement comes just one week after McDonald's employees in three different states sued the restaurant for reported payment issues, including wage theft.
The investigation of Cisneros' practices revealed that between 2007 and 2013, some of the 700 cashiers employed at the McDonald's were forced to work "off-the-clock," without payment, either before or after their shifts, Reuters reported.
A few cashiers also had to hand over their own money if the register was short at the end of the shift.
Under New York state law, employees are required to receive an additional hour of minimum wage pay when they work at least 10 hours in one day, Reuters reported. Cisneros also failed to pay this part.
Employee uniforms weren't washed or laundered, either - another requirement in New York.
The probe found that Cisneros wouldn't pay the extra cost of cleaning the clothing workers donned on the job.
