Logo for Dept of industrial relations California state seal.
NEWS RELEASE
Release Number: 2021-20
February 17, 2021

California Labor Commissioner Cites Los Angeles McDonald’s Franchisee More Than $125,000 for Workplace Retaliation

Los Angeles—The California Labor Commissioner has cited a Los Angeles McDonald’s franchisee $125,913 for workplace retaliation and labor law violations, after the Labor Commissioner found that the employer illegally fired four workers for reporting unsafe working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Too many workers fear retaliation if they report a problem or stand up for their rights,” said Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “California law has anti-retaliation protections in place that make it illegal for employers to punish workers for exercising their labor rights, such as reporting a workplace safety hazard. My office is committed to ensuring those laws are enforced.”

The four employees of the Marengo Street McDonald’s, operated by R&B Sanchez, Inc., filed retaliation complaints with the Labor Commissioner’s Office last September. The workers had advised their employer, Cal/OSHA and the Los Angeles County Health Department about unsafe work conditions that they were concerned exposed them to COVID-19 infections. They had also participated in strikes over safety conditions at the Marengo Street McDonald’s, and subsequently received termination letters from their employer.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office on February 12th issued citations totaling $125,913 in wages and penalties against McDonald’s franchisee R&B Sanchez, Inc. Also named in the citations as jointly and severally liable are owners Robert Sanchez and Beverly Sanchez, as well as Brian Sanchez, who served as the franchisee human resources officer. The citations include $45,193 in lost wages, $720 in interest due, $40,000 in Section 98.6 retaliation penalties, and $40,000 in Section 1102.5 retaliation penalties. R&B Sanchez must reinstate the four workers to their jobs, remove any negative references from their personnel files, and post information on the citations and violations in the workplace.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office enforces more than 45 labor laws that specifically prohibit discrimination and retaliation, including Equal Pay Act violations. The Labor Commissioner’s Office investigates workplace retaliation complaints including instances of termination, suspension, transfer or demotion, reduction in pay or hours, disciplinary actions or threats, or unfair immigration-related practices.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office has launched an interdisciplinary outreach campaign, “Reaching Every Californian.” The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to impacted populations so that workers and employers understand legal protections, obligations and how to defend them. Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner’s Office on Facebook and on Twitter.

Contact: Lucas Brown / Peter Melton, Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161