By Kristy Tallman, July 4, 2024
LITTLE ROCK, AR – The owner of a Benton tavern and restaurant has agreed to comply with a preliminary injunction obtained by the U.S. Department of Labor to stop the employer from violating federal regulations.
The action comes amid allegations that Tim’s Tavern and owner Tim Steppach failed to pay minimum and overtime wages as required, kept workers’ tips, employed children illegally, and fired a worker who warned that the department would be notified.
A February 2024 investigation by the department’s Wage and Hour Division determined the employer allowed several 14- and 15-year-old children to work outside legally permitted hours on school nights and weekends. Investigators also learned that — as far back as August 2022 — Steppach had failed to provide regular paychecks; did not pay minimum wage, overtime, and tips as required; and neglected to keep records, all of which violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The findings prompted the department’s Solicitor’s Office to seek a restraining order in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Arkansas Central Division to prevent Tim’s Tavern and Steppach from employee retaliation, oppressive child labor, and illegally withholding employees’ minimum wage, overtime pay, and tips.