Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, DOL NEWS—California employer to pay $427K for H2-A program violations, (Aug 25, 2025)

By Patricia K. Ruiz, J.D.

The employer will pay $207k in back wages and $220k in civil money penalties.

California-based Grimmway Enterprises Inc. will pay $427,456 in back wages and penalties after the Department of Labor (DOL) determined that some of the employer’s workers were underpaid and that others were subjected to unsafe housing conditions and transportation. The consent judgment, entered by a federal court in the Eastern District of Washington, resolves allegations that the employer violated H-2A agricultural program requirements.

Violations. An investigation by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) determined that the employer violated H-2A program requirements when it failed to pay the correct adverse effect wage rate to H-2A temporary workers and corresponding U.S. workers. Additionally, WHD investigators found safety and health violations involving worker housing and transportation and that the employer failed to inform employees of the hours they were required to work, their job duties, or their eligibility for overtime pay.

Consent judgment. Under the consent judgment, the employer was ordered to: (1) pay the correct adverse effect wage rate to all workers hired under the H-2A program; (2) provide employees with transportation and housing that meets all safety and health requirements and only allow authorized drivers to operate vehicles transporting workers; (3) provide a copy of the H-2A contract to all workers that includes detailed job descriptions and duties; and (4) train managers, human resources personnel, payroll personnel, and supervisors who are directly responsible for administration and management of the H-2A program.

Companies: Grimmway Enterprises Inc.

News: AgencyNews ImmigrationNews LaborNews Immigration Labor WageHour MinimumWage Safety RemediesDamages