BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Thursday that a Lowell-area hospital will pay more than $283,000 in restitution and penalties for failing to comply with the state's meal break laws and making alterations to working hours.
Inc. who alleged that deductions were made for meal breaks that were not taken and for time worked beyond scheduled shifts. The alleged violations occurred before the July 2012 asset purchase of Saint's Medical by Lowell General Hospital
"Our investigation revealed that the hospital made improper deductions for meal breaks that were not taken and failed to pay for all hours worked," Coakley said.
Lowell General cooperated fully with Coakley's office and implemented managerial and procedural changes to address record-keeping problems in the ICU unit.
The hospital agreed to pay restitution to 52 employees and former employees under terms of the settlement. It will also pay a penalty to the state.
Mass. hospital agrees to restitution for meal break law, working hour alterations
