New York, NY (Trends Wide) — There are tough bosses. Then there are the bosses who drop 500 pounds of greasy quarters in a former employee’s driveway.
The US Department of Labor filed a lawsuit late last month against a Georgia auto repair shop for violating federal labor law after its owner retaliated against a former employee who contacted the agency when you did not receive your last paycheck.
Flaten left his job at A OK after an argument with his boss and contacted the Department of Labor last January to say he was owed $915. The next day, Walker received a call from the department saying that I wouldn’t pay Flaten. Hours later, he decided to pay him with pennies.
“How can you make this guy realize what a disgusting example of a human being he is?” Walker said in the lawsuit. “I have a lot of pennies; I’ll use them.”
Walker and Flaten have not responded to Trends Wide’s request for comment.
In March 2021, Walker dumped the coins in Flaten’s driveway. Walker then posted on the store’s website.
“What started out as a ‘getcha’ to a small-time ex-employee sure got a lot of press… Let’s say maybe he stole? Maybe he killed a dog? Maybe he killed a cat? a bum? Maybe he was a butcher? “says the lawsuit.
Flaten’s girlfriend posted a video of the pennies on Instagram, sparking both outrage and sympathy from those who have also dealt with challenging bosses.
Flaten told Fox 5 Atlanta that moving the pennies to his garage took hours and flattened the tire of his wheelbarrow.
“By law, the engagement of workers with the United States Department of Labor is a protected activity. Workers have the right to receive information about their rights in the workplace and to obtain the wages they have earned without fear of being harassed or intimidated.” Atlanta Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven Salazar said in a statement.
The Department of Labor is seeking $36,971 in back wages and damages on behalf of multiple employees, including Flaten. An investigation determined that Walker and the shop retaliated and violated overtime laws by paying employees only a flat weekly rate. The lawsuit also alleges that the shop failed to keep accurate wage records.
“It doesn’t matter. He got paid, that’s all that matters,” Walker told CBS46. “He’s a f***** rookie for bringing it up.”
New York, NY (Trends Wide) — There are tough bosses. Then there are the bosses who drop 500 pounds of greasy quarters in a former employee’s driveway.
The US Department of Labor filed a lawsuit late last month against a Georgia auto repair shop for violating federal labor law after its owner retaliated against a former employee who contacted the agency when you did not receive your last paycheck.
Flaten left his job at A OK after an argument with his boss and contacted the Department of Labor last January to say he was owed $915. The next day, Walker received a call from the department saying that I wouldn’t pay Flaten. Hours later, he decided to pay him with pennies.
“How can you make this guy realize what a disgusting example of a human being he is?” Walker said in the lawsuit. “I have a lot of pennies; I’ll use them.”
Walker and Flaten have not responded to Trends Wide’s request for comment.
In March 2021, Walker dumped the coins in Flaten’s driveway. Walker then posted on the store’s website.
“What started out as a ‘getcha’ to a small-time ex-employee sure got a lot of press… Let’s say maybe he stole? Maybe he killed a dog? Maybe he killed a cat? a bum? Maybe he was a butcher? “says the lawsuit.
Flaten’s girlfriend posted a video of the pennies on Instagram, sparking both outrage and sympathy from those who have also dealt with challenging bosses.
Flaten told Fox 5 Atlanta that moving the pennies to his garage took hours and flattened the tire of his wheelbarrow.
“By law, the engagement of workers with the United States Department of Labor is a protected activity. Workers have the right to receive information about their rights in the workplace and to obtain the wages they have earned without fear of being harassed or intimidated.” Atlanta Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division District Director Steven Salazar said in a statement.
The Department of Labor is seeking $36,971 in back wages and damages on behalf of multiple employees, including Flaten. An investigation determined that Walker and the shop retaliated and violated overtime laws by paying employees only a flat weekly rate. The lawsuit also alleges that the shop failed to keep accurate wage records.
“It doesn’t matter. He got paid, that’s all that matters,” Walker told CBS46. “He’s a f***** rookie for bringing it up.”