The New York State Department of Labor announced Friday that it has recovered $674,526 in back wages for 7,577 employees of The TJX Companies, Inc., the parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. The money represents the result of a year‑long investigation into alleged violations of the state’s “spread of hours” rule at roughly 185 TJX locations throughout New York.
Investigation origins
NYSDOL investigators first entered the probe in April 2023 with an unannounced visit to a Marshalls store on White Plains Road in the Bronx. A review of payroll records revealed that many workers whose shifts spanned more than ten hours were not receiving the additional hour of pay required by New York labor law. Under the law, employees who work a day that stretches beyond ten hours must be paid an extra hour at the basic minimum‑wage rate.
Self‑audit and cooperation
Following the discovery, the department asked TJX to conduct a comprehensive self‑audit of all its New York stores covering the period from August 2020 through August 2023. The company complied fully, providing the requested documentation and working closely with investigators.
Back‑wage payouts
The audit resulted in $674,526 being paid to the affected workers, with individual payments ranging up to $4,686. NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon praised the outcome, stating, “Ensuring New York workers receive the wages they are owed is a commitment we take seriously. I want to thank our dedicated investigators for their meticulous work, and The TJX Companies for their prompt cooperation in resolving this matter.”
Broader context
This recovery is part of a larger effort by the department to combat wage theft. In 2025, NYSDOL recovered more than $35 million in unpaid wages and collected $2.2 million in penalties related to similar cases. Since 2021, the agency has returned over $130 million to nearly 125,000 workers across the state.
What workers can do
Employees who believe they are owed unpaid wages are encouraged to file a complaint through the New York State Department of Labor’s website. The agency continues to monitor compliance and will pursue further action when violations are identified.
Impact on the community
Recovering back wages not only puts money directly into the pockets of families but also reinforces the importance of fair labor practices for the state’s retail sector. By holding large employers accountable, the department helps protect the livelihood of thousands of New Yorkers who rely on hourly wages to support their households.
Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.
