Another From the “How Not To Run a Business” Series
Back when Ken Svoboda’s business had trouble with poppies on 84th Street, it made for an amusing punchline. Then Svoboda and the company ran into trouble with the Nebraska Department of Revenue and eyebrows were raised. Now, even the Feds are coming after Svoboda:
The U.S. Department of Labor accused former Lincoln City Councilman Ken Svoboda and his family’s business, Ray’s Lawn and Home Care, of repeatedly and willfully breaking federal labor laws.
Specifically, Ray’s is accused of failing to keep employment records, and making some employees work more than 40 hours a week without paying overtime.
For what it’s worth, the flowers on 84th Street look much better this year.
The Comments
Gene says RE: Another From the “How Not To Run a Business” Series July 1, 2009 at 7:07am
Why do you hate business?
Fletch says When I heard this on July 1, 2009 at 7:27am
When I heard this on the news, I fully expected to see Hammerin’ Ken in full dance mode.
I never excuse this behavior. Usually it’s triggered by the reporting of an employee. I worked for a company once that went thru a similar audit, and it’s a royal pain - I suspect if more people reported it, that there are a LOT more businesses where this occurs than one would imagine.
However, I think it’s crap and people should get paid for what they work, or if you don’t want to pay them, they should be put on “salary” which makes it all better.