New York State Acting Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino today announced that Ideal Snacks, based in Liberty, NY, has complied with a Department of Labor request that it pay more than $102,000 in vacation time and associated damages to 128 former workers.

"This is a perfect example of how government can work with a business to help it make good on its payroll obligations under the law," said Acting Commissioner Musolino. "Within days of learning it had violated laws, leaders at Ideal Snacks opened their books, complied thoroughly with our investigators, then wrote a check to cover the full amount for workers."

Under New York State law, businesses are required to pay back wage supplements, like vacation, within 30 days of someone's termination.

Following layoffs at Ideal Snacks in May, the Department of Labor provided services to former workers at an information session, including assistance with filing unpaid wage claims, job search and skills identification support and information on immigrant workers' rights. Staff from the Department of Labor's Division of Labor Standards were also on hand.
 
The Department's continuing presence in Sullivan County to aid former Ideal Snacks workers is centered at the Sullivan Works Career Center, located at 50 North Street in Monticello. Any workers who were unable to attend the information session should visit the Career Center for information and assistance.

Joseph Talmage, CFO of Ideal Snacks Corporation/BFY Holdings, said: "This matter relates to an unintentional violation regarding our vacation policy, which we have corrected. We are committed to treating all of our employees with respect and fairness and to having policies in place that are lawful and consistent with best practices. Based on our extensive discussions with the Department of Labor, we are not aware of any further investigations and have resolved all pending matters."

The New York State Department of Labor's Division of Labor Standards, which investigates wage theft, is processing cases faster than ever before, meaning more workers receive money owed to them faster. Key to this improvement has been an emphasis on working directly with businesses and helping them quickly come into compliance.

More than 85 percent of all investigations are now completed within six months. In 2014, $30.2 million was disbursed to nearly 27,000 workers - more than any previous year and a 35 percent increase in recovered funds over 2013.

Anyone with questions about minimum wage or other labor standards issues, or who would like to file a complaint, should call (888) 4-NYSDOL (469-7365).