Daycare Changed Locks Without Warning, Shut Out Workers and Left Nearly $15K in Unpaid Wages, Lawsuit Alleges

Six childcare workers in Washington, DC are seeking nearly $15,000 in unpaid wages after their daycare centre allegedly closed without warning in July 2024. The workers reportedly arrived for their shifts to find the locks changed and could not enter the premises. The District's attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing the centre's owner of withholding wages and accrued annual leave.

Attorney General Brian L Schwalb announced the lawsuit on 15 October against Little Swalih Education Center Inc., formerly known as Little Samaritan Child Development Center Inc., and its owner and chief executive, Ode H Hines. The Office of the Attorney General is seeking to recover the unpaid wages, along with damages and penalties. The allegations have yet to be proven in court.

Workers Arrived to Find the Centre Locked

Little Samaritan operated at 5100 E Street SE in Ward 7, providing childcare and child development services for children aged six weeks to 12 years. The centre employed at least six workers in 2024. Hines founded and owned the business and also served as its chief executive and chair of the board of directors, according to the attorney general's office.

According to the complaint, the centre paid employees for the pay period covering 1 July to 15 July 2024. However, workers received no wages for work performed from 16 July until the closure or for reporting to work on 26 July. The lawsuit also alleges that parents received no advance notice of the closure.

Lawsuit Alleges Three Wage Law Violations

The complaint accuses Little Samaritan and Hines of violating the District's wage and hour laws in three ways. First, the defendants failed to pay wages earned during the final pay period and for the day employees reported to work before the closure. District law requires employers to pay all wages earned. It also generally requires employers to pay workers for at least four hours when they report for a scheduled shift but are sent home.

Second, the lawsuit alleges that the centre failed to compensate employees for accrued annual leave when their employment ended. Under District law, employers must generally pay departing workers for accrued annual leave unless an express agreement provides otherwise. Third, the defendants failed to issue final wages within the legally required timeframe. The District generally requires employers to pay terminated employees their outstanding wages by the next working day.

The OAG is seeking to recover unpaid earnings and damages for the affected workers, as well as penalties for the violations. The claims have not been established as findings of liability.

Attorney General Warns of Wider Childcare Impact

Schwalb said his office would continue enforcing wage and hour laws to ensure workers received the money they had earned. He also warned that wage theft in the childcare sector could affect families. If childcare workers fear that their wages may be withheld, the District could face fewer and more expensive childcare options, Schwalb said.

Lawsuit Seeks Compensation for Six Workers

Little Samaritan is now defunct. The lawsuit names Little Swalih Education Center Inc. and Hines as defendants. The case seeks compensation for six workers who allegedly went unpaid after the centre closed. The complaint is available through the attorney general's office, and the legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the allegations.