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QUESTION

What are the processes for investigating worker protection cases and securing restitution for workers?

0:30:35

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The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) details its comprehensive process for investigating worker protection cases. The process covers the following steps:

Workers file complaints online which are assigned to DCWP investigators
Investigators collect documents from workers and employers
A team reviews documents to identify violations
The DCWP then attempts to resolve cases through settlements, or files cases at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) if no agreement is reached
The administration has secured $37 million in restitution for workers

Gale A. Brewer

0:30:35

One of the questions is How does the agency engage in investigations work for worker protection cases?

0:30:43

Just a little bit more specific than what the great questions of the chair and how much money has been secured for workers through that process.

0:30:54

Little bit more detail maybe than what was asked earlier.

Vilda Vera Mayuga

0:30:59

Thank you, Council member.

0:31:00

And thank you, yes, we've very delighted when we are successful in our enforcement of of the various laws that we enforce.

0:31:08

In terms of the process, we have deputy commissioner Wagner shared earlier how we've improved a lot in our process to receive complaints online.

0:31:18

And so that's really helped workers come directly to us, make it easier whether it's a computer, on their phone, answer specific questions that are helpful for us to expedite.

0:31:28

The back and forth and shorten the back and forth that we will have with the with the worker.

0:31:31

But that's the first thing that happens is that it will come to our intake team, will be assigned to an investigator They were engaged with the worker, answer any questions, ask for any documents that may be helpful, and then we're gonna contact the company and get records from them so that we can ask them.

0:31:46

These are the issues that we're seeing.

0:31:48

Please provide the documents depending on the violations that have been identified.

0:31:54

Team of data scientists and attorneys, investigators will review those documents to come up with findings.

0:32:00

And then those findings are presented in a letter to the employer.

0:32:05

Sometimes we just schedule a time to pick up the phone and go over any questions.

0:32:09

There may be some back and forth about it.

0:32:12

They may provide additional information, and we look to resolve the case ideally through a settlement process so that we don't have to file a case.

0:32:20

But if there is no agreement, we would then go to oath and file a case to continue the process and do any limited discovery if we need to additional documents and have have a trial date, and then a decision is issued.

0:32:37

Okay.

Carlos Ortiz

0:32:37

And I and I think I would add to that piece on your question about the results for workers.

0:32:44

On the administration, we've been able here, I believe it was 37,000,000 in restitution, primarily restitution for workers.

0:32:51

So it's it's for us It's definitely one of a core piece of our work and something we're very proud of.

Gale A. Brewer

0:32:57

When you mentioned oath, has the money been able to be secured?

0:33:05

Because sometimes I know when I come, you know, quite understand when you have this huge number of uncollected dollars, not necessarily from you, property taxes, etcetera.

0:33:17

In your case, you feel like you've been able to secure the funding because I know some agencies are not.

Vilda Vera Mayuga

0:33:24

Yes.

0:33:24

When it comes to worker restitution, we have been highly successful in actually giving that money to the workers and not just claiming that.

0:33:33

We resolved the case.

0:33:34

Okay.

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