BOSTON — A Worcester, Massachusetts, home health company that allegedly failed to pay workers travel time and kept inaccurate payroll records has agreed to a $272,000 settlement with the state.
According to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Ace Medical Services and its owners Michael Chege and Raphael Bibiu will pay restitution and penalties to 240 current and former employees who did not receive pay for all the hours they worked, including travel time to see scheduled patients.
“Home health care workers provide essential services to elders and people with disabilities and should be paid for their work,” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said in a statement. “I’am pleased that hundreds of current and former employees will receive restitution through this settlement, and that the company has come into compliance with state law.”
The investigation into Ace Medical's pay practices stemmed from a complaint from an employee who alleged that employees were not paid for all hours worked with some of the home health aids visiting two or more patients a day, the Attorney General's Office said. The investigation also showed Ace failed to track employee hours and wages paid to home health aides, according to Healy's office.