Press Release  Braintree Temp Agency Will Pay $100,000 in Citations over Labor Violations

Boston — A temporary staffing agency in Braintree and its president will pay $106,435, including restitution for 102 employees, to settle allegations that the company violated state wage and hour and earned sick time laws, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The Credence Group Corporation provides workers to two client companies, Venus Wafers in Hingham and Malden International Designs Inc. in Middleboro. Credence and its president Kathleen Bach received five citations for failing to allow employees to use earned sick leave, failure to pay wages on time, failure to keep accurate records and to furnish employees with a suitable paystub, and misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

The AG’s Office began an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip. Investigators from the AG’s Office conducted site inspections and issued payroll demands to Credence and the two client companies that revealed some employees were paid in cash, frequently did not receive paystubs, and were not provided with earned sick time. The investigation also showed that most employees at Malden International Designs Inc. were routinely underpaid and paid through a sub-agency that changed names several times. Investigators determined that Credence misclassified those employees as independent contractors.

Credence has come into compliance with the wage and hour laws and has agreed to pay the restitution and penalties.

The AG’s Office enforces laws regulating the payment of wages, including minimum wage and overtime laws. Currently, the Massachusetts minimum wage is $12 per hour. Employers must also pay workers time and a half for all hours worked over 40 in a given week. These legal protections apply to all workers regardless of immigration status.

Workers who believe their rights have been violated in their workplace are encouraged to file a complaint at www.mass.gov/ago/wagetheft. For information about the state’s wage and hour laws, workers may call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465 or go to the Attorney General’s Workplace Rights website www.mass.gov/fairlabor for materials in multiple languages.

This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Amy Goyer and Supervisory Investigator Jen Pak, both of the AG’s Fair Labor Division. 

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