Workers at Minneapolis clothing store receive $7,000 in back wages through settlement

The New York-based clothing chain Rainbow paid nearly $7,000 in back wages to workers at its Minneapolis store plus $4,000 in penalties for failing to provide employees the sick leave they are entitled to under city ordinance.

In July 2017, the city of Minneapolis began requiring employers with six or more workers to provide paid time off at an accrual rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.

Since 2018, the city of Minneapolis has recovered more than  $500,000 in back wages and damages for workers through 65 settlements with companies, including 51 settlements related to violations of the city’s paid sick leave requirement, according to city spokeswoman Sarah McKenzie.

The city’s Labor Standards Enforcement Division investigated Rainbow on West Broadway in north Minneapolis and found the company failed to provide paid sick leave for its workers during the pandemic.

Under the settlement agreement with the city, Rainbow must begin providing workers with paid sick leave and make restitution payments to nine workers ranging from $342 to $1,536.

Workers can report a violation by calling 311 or filling out a form online.