State College

Ex-employee says Qdoba near State College didn’t pay workers overtime, lawsuit claims

A former Qdoba Mexican Eats employee alleged the Mexican chain restaurant near State College did not properly pay its workers overtime.
A former Qdoba Mexican Eats employee alleged the Mexican chain restaurant near State College did not properly pay its workers overtime. AP

A former employee of a Mexican restaurant in Happy Valley filed Tuesday a federal lawsuit that alleged the business flouted a labor law by not properly paying workers overtime wages.

Daniel Sbar alleged Qdoba Mexican Eats, 1908 N. Atherton St., also required some employees to work off the clock in what his attorney described as an intentional effort to deny workers a proper paycheck.

The chain declined comment Friday through a spokesperson, citing its policy against commenting publicly about legal matters.

The restaurant’s practices, Sbar’s lawsuit alleged, were “broadly imposed.” Attorney Patrick Howard sought to have the lawsuit certified as a class action.

The suit did not detail how many workers may have been affected or how much they may be owed. A message left Wednesday with Howard was not immediately returned.

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act established minimum wage, overtime pay, record-keeping and youth employment standards. Overtime pay at a rate of at least 1 1/2 times a workers’ regular pay is required after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

Sbar, along with other potential class members, sought unpaid back wages, coverage of attorney fees and more.

This story was originally published January 17, 2024 at 2:26 PM.

Bret Pallotto
Centre Daily Times
Bret Pallotto primarily reports on courts and crime for the Centre Daily Times. He was raised in Mifflin County and graduated from Lock Haven University.
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