NY sisters and DQ owners hit with $6M lawsuit for paying workers every 2 weeks — how they fought to change the loophole

Core Points - The "DQ Sisters," Patty DeMint and Michelle Robey, opened a Dairy Queen franchise in Meaford, New York, in 2017, creating a community hub and supporting their employees [1][2] - In 2019, the sisters faced a $6 million lawsuit due to alleged violations of New York's Frequency of Pay law, which mandates weekly pay for manual workers [3][4] - The lawsuit was part of a broader trend of similar legal actions against New York businesses, often initiated by law firms targeting those who paid employees biweekly [5][6] Company Overview - The Dairy Queen franchise operated by the DQ Sisters became known for its community involvement and support for local employees, including those seeking second chances [2][3] - The sisters were unaware of the specific pay law they were accused of violating, which had not been flagged during previous audits by the state's Department of Labor [4] Legal Context - The lawsuit against the DQ Sisters highlights a shift in how New York's Frequency of Pay law is being enforced, with an emphasis on technical violations rather than the intent behind the law [5][6] - Labor lawyers have noted that such lawsuits have transformed the law into a "gotcha" mechanism, creating significant risks for small business owners [6]