Saint Paul City Council Orders $40,201 in Restitution for St. Paws LLC Labor Standards Violations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 12, 2026 

Saint Paul City Council Orders $40,201 in Restitution for St. Paws LLC Labor Standards Violations 

Council action reinforces commitment to holding employers accountable for violating workers’ rights 

SAINT PAUL – The Saint Paul City Council today ordered St. Paws LLC to pay $40,201.23 in restitution to 61 employees following a City investigation that found the former Saint Paul dog daycare and boarding facility violated the City’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and Minimum Wage ordinances. 

The restitution includes $12,077.23 in back pay and $28,124 in liquidated damages. 

The Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) investigated complaints alleging that St. Paws failed to provide employees with required Earned Sick and Safe Time, failed to allow employees to use ESST, failed to provide required notice of ESST and minimum wage rights, and failed to pay the required minimum wage. HREEO’s investigation found violations of multiple provisions of both City ordinances. 

HREEO’s investigation found that 58 employees were denied their ESST rights during the investigative period. The investigation also found that eight employees were paid below the City’s required minimum wage of $14 per hour for small businesses between July 1, 2024, and December 4, 2024. Employees were owed $11,174.87 in ESST back pay and $902.36 in minimum wage back pay. 

“The Council’s action today—to direct an employer to pay restitution to employees for Earned Sick and Safe Time and wages owed—underscores the importance of not only passing legislation that protects workers but standing behind that legislation with enforcement action. Holding employers accountable to following our city’s laws and respecting the rights of workers is a responsibility this Council takes seriously. The passage of today’s resolution reflects that commitment,” said Councilmember Molly Coleman, Ward 4. 

“Today’s action is an important reminder that no one is above the law. St. Paul workers need to know that they can count on the City to stand up for their rights and hold employers accountable. I’m proud of the work of HREEO and this Council to make sure that we are not only establishing strong worker protections in our city, but enforcing them,” said Council President Rebecca Noecker, Ward 2. 

The City’s labor standards ordinances establish protections for workers in Saint Paul, including requirements related to minimum wage and Earned Sick and Safe Time. HREEO investigates alleged violations, determines whether violations occurred, and recommends appropriate remedies. The City Council has the authority to impose restitution and penalties following HREEO’s findings. 

St. Paws did not contest the violations or the proposed restitution, and the matter was placed on the City Council agenda for action. The Council’s resolution finds that St. Paws violated multiple provisions of the City’s ESST and Minimum Wage ordinances and imposes the $40,201.23 restitution amount to be paid to the impacted employees. 

Today’s action reinforces the City Council’s commitment to ensuring that employers operating in Saint Paul comply with the laws protecting workers and that violations are subject to public accountability and enforcement. 

ABOUT THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL: The Saint Paul City Council is the city’s legislative body, setting policy through ordinances and resolutions, adopting budgets, and providing direct constituent services across the city’s wards. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council.