LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $11,209 for a worker illegally fired by a meat and poultry provider for using federally protected medical leave.
Investigators from the department's Wage and Hour Division found that Los Angeles slaughterhouse and packing company Commodity Sales Co. terminated an employee illegally and violated the Family Medical Leave Act. After the worker took an FMLA-protected leave, Commodity terminated the worker.
The division determined that the employer failed to provide the worker with FMLA information prior to the leave and did not inform them of their FMLA protections. Investigators also found violations of employer policy review and record-keeping provisions of FMLA.
“The Wage and Hour Division is committed to defending the rights of workers, especially those who are terminated unjustly for missing work due to their health issues,” said Assistant District Director Francisco Ocampo in Los Angeles. “As the outcome of this case shows, negligence can be costly for the employer.”
Commodity Sales Co. has more than 50 workers in Los Angeles.
