CT Issues $270k Fine For Misclassified Poultry Workers

BOZRAH, CT — The state Department of Labor issued more than $270,000 in fines after workers at a large poultry plant were found to have misclassified workers as independent contractors.F

Pennslyvania-based Five Brothers 1 and Massachussetts-based Whitmore Poultry admitted to supplying workers as independent contractors at Hillandale Farms in Bozrah. Many of the workers employed by Whitmore were minors between the ages of 14 and 17, according to a release from the state Department of Labor.

Five Brothers 1 was assessed a fine of $180,600, and Whitmore Poultry a fine of $90,000. Hillandale Farms wasn't issued a fine because state law only allows the employer of record to be fined for violations.

“These business practices are an unacceptable way to operate in Connecticut,” said Thomas Wydra, head of the department's wage and workplace standards. “Every working person is entitled to proper workplace protections, and taxpayers should not be burdened with costs that are the legal responsibility of employers.

Upwards of 34 Five Brothers 1 employees were found to be misclassified during an Oct. 11 inspection. A stop-work order was issued and the company was cited for 602 violations, one violation per employee per week worked.

Department of Children and Families investigators returned to the plant after getting reports of minors working there. A van dropped off 16 young workers from Whitemore Poultry after full-time staff left for the day, according to the Department of Labor.

Investigators, including from the state Department of Children and Families, returned to the plant on Oct. 30 after a complaint that minors were being improperly employed there by Whitmore Poultry. Whitmore was cited for 512 violations

The stop-work order was released against Whitmore Poultry on Oct. 31 and against Five Brothers 1 on Nov. 1.