Popular downtown nightlife destination and restaurant The Park at 14th will pay $243,350 to workers and in government penalties following an investigation by DC’s Office of the Attorney General into alleged labor law violations.
OAG says it uncovered evidence that the Park at 14th failed to provide any paid sick leave to more than 200 employees between 2021 and 2024. OAG also alleges that the business illegally classified some of its workers as independent contractors, thereby depriving them of potential overtime wages and benefits like unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation. The investigation also found that the Park at 14th “systematically” failed to provide workers with required written notice of their pay rate, tip-sharing policies, and pay dates.
When workers raised concerns about their pay, OAG claims that the Park at 14th illegally retaliated against them. Several said they were removed from the schedule after asking questions, and one employee’s hourly rate was allegedly lowered for at least one pay period after raising concerns with management.
Owner Marc Barnes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Under the settlement, the Park at 14th will pay about $127,000 to affected workers and $116,000 in civil penalties to DC. The business has also agreed to provide retroactive sick leave to current employees, make changes to ensure it’s in compliance with DC wage and hour laws, and file annual reports to OAG for three years.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind DC’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
