WHD recovers $500,256 for 6 San Diego deli workers—file wage complaints
WHD says it recovered $500,256 in back wages for six San Diego deli workers. Here’s what FLSA violations were found and how to file a complaint.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) says it recovered $500,256 in back wages for six deli workers in San Diego after investigators found minimum-wage and overtime-pay violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
In a July 17, 2026 news release, WHD said the workers were employed by Chau Deli, operating as A Chau Sandwich. WHD reported the employees averaged 55 hours a week—often working 11-hour days—but were paid a flat $100 per day. WHD said the workers’ regular rate of pay was less than the local minimum wage for regular hours.
WHD also said the workers were not paid overtime premiums for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, which WHD frames as a violation of the FLSA’s overtime requirements. WHD said each worker was paid approximately $83,000 in back wages.
What WHD says the employer failed to do
According to WHD’s release, the violations centered on two FLSA pay rules:
- Minimum wage for regular hours: WHD said the flat daily payment meant the workers’ regular rate of pay was below the applicable local minimum wage.
- Overtime premiums: WHD said workers were not paid the overtime premium required for hours over 40 in a workweek.
If you think you’re owed minimum wage or overtime
WHD is clear that complaints can trigger investigations, and WHD says these complaint-driven investigations are confidential: the name of the complainant, the nature of the complaint, and even whether a complaint exists may not be disclosed. WHD also says an employer cannot retaliate against a worker for exercising rights, filing a complaint, or cooperating with an investigation.
Timing matters. WHD says the FLSA provides a two-year statute of limitations for non-willful violations and a three-year statute of limitations for willful violations, and it generally looks back over those periods to determine whether wages are owed.
WHD also says there are no charges to file a complaint or for WHD to conduct an investigation.
What to expect after you file
WHD describes a typical investigation flow that can include:
- Initial conference with the employer and a tour of the establishment
- Private interviews with employees
- Review of employer records to determine compliance
- Final conference to discuss any violations found (and a request for back-wage payment if owed)
If you believe your pay included unlawful overtime or you weren’t paid the right minimum wage, WHD’s process is the practical starting point: document your hours and pay, then use WHD’s complaint channel to request an investigation and possible back-wage recovery.
What to watch next
This San Diego case is one example of the federal wage-and-hour enforcement WHD says it performs under the FLSA. For workers nationwide, the key takeaway is not to assume outcomes—but to act early, keep records, and file with WHD if you think you’re owed unpaid minimum wage and/or overtime.
Sources
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