In a single incident, the DOL stated in a press launch, a Tosh Pork LLC worker discovered a severed pig’s head at their workstation following a gathering with administration about their wages. It did not specify who left it there.
The Labor Division additionally claims that the worker was threatened with being fired throughout the assembly.
The DOL grievance says that Tosh Pork violated sections of the Truthful Labor Requirements Act, which safeguards staff’ potential to ask about their wages.
The Act additionally prevents employers from discriminating in opposition to staff who’ve filed a grievance to the Wage and Hour Division.
The division alleged that one other employee, who additionally cared for the farm’s pigs, confronted retaliation after asking about pay.
In that incident, the division stated that the worker was assigned duties unrelated to their traditional duties, which included cleansing workplaces, bogs, and pig waste.
After studying that the worker could have filed a grievance, Tosh Pork tried to drive them to signal a doc banning them from discussing pay points with their colleagues, in line with the Division of Labor.
“Tosh Pork’s appalling actions and clear makes an attempt to intimidate and retaliate in opposition to its staff is not going to be tolerated,” Tremelle Howard, the DOL’s regional solicitor in Atlanta, stated within the information launch.
In an electronic mail to Enterprise Insider, Tosh Pork’s veterinarian, Seth Krantz, refuted the allegations.
He stated Tosh Pork seeks to comply with the FLSA and deal with staff “with dignity and respect.”
Krantz added that the corporate intends to “defend itself in court docket.”
The DOL investigation additionally discovered that the corporate owed 5 staff $39,375 in again wages together with $36,731 in penalties.Â
