Official Site of The State of New JerseyNJDOL Halts Work at Flemington Restaurant Owing $14,500 in Back Wages to 14 Workers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026
TRENTON – Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s (NJDOL) Division of Wage and Hour Compliance issued the following stop-work order on May 5, 2026:
Employer: Brunello Trattoria Restaurant & Bar
Address: 300 Old Croton Road, Flemington, N.J. 08822
Nature of Work: Full-service restaurant
SWO Category: General Enforcement
Violations: Failure to pay minimum wage and overtime; recordkeeping and posting violations; hindrance of the investigation; failure to pay Earned Sick Leave; Earned Sick Leave records and notification/posting violations; failing to properly classify employees; unpaid wages/late payment.
Monetary Assessments: Wages $14,501.18; Fees $1,450.12; Penalties $13,850.
Workers Affected: 14
“Paying workers properly isn't optional – it’s the law,” said Assistant Commissioner for Wage and Hour Compliance Joseph Petrecca. “When employers fail to meet their obligations under New Jersey’s wage and hour statutes, NJDOL will take action to protect workers and ensure compliance.”
NJDOL has issued 222 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019.
Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. In General Enforcement cases, an assessment is made against a company found to be in violation of Wage and Hour laws and regulations. If the employer fails to contest or pay the assessment within the statutory time period, a stop-work order may be issued after a seven-day notice is served upon the employer. The stop-work order remains in place until the award is paid in full by the employer.
NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued. Workers are to be paid during the time the stop-work order is in effect, for a period of up to 10 days. The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and administrative fees have been paid and all related issues have been resolved.
For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.