LOS ANGELES — Nationwide retailer Costco recently agreed to settle an unpaid overtime class action lawsuit with pharmacists over allegations that management at the company’s California locations discouraged plaintiffs from reporting overtime hours and failed to provide uninterrupted meal breaks required by state law. The $9 million overtime pay settlement compensates the 1,175 pharmacists and pharmacist managers an average of $4,900 and covers the plaintiffs legal bills as well as fines to the Department of Labor over allegations the defendant violated the collective bargaining agreements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges the defendant forced the plaintiffs to work through lunch and rest breaks, performing duties like answering phone calls, responding to emails, and doing other tasks only pharmacists can do under state health laws. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claim their job duties required they respond to texts and emails off the clock but were discouraged from recording these hours on timesheets.
California Wage and Labor Overtime Pay Laws
Under California wage and labor laws, all workers must be afforded a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break immediately after their fifth hour of work or otherwise be compensated with an additional hour of regular hourly pay. The FLSA requires employers provide employees with accurate wage statements detailing all hours worked, benefits accrued, and wages earned or face penalties for failure to do so.
Unfortunately, these types of wage theft allegations are all too common in many workplaces across the country as businesses attempt to keep expenses down by illegally suppressing employee wages. Often times, businesses try to coerce or intimidate workers into going along with illicit business practices or rely on the trust of the worker who assumes his or her employer is noncompliance with applicable state and federal law. Workers who feel as though they are the victims of wage theft should strongly consider speaking to an experienced overtime pay attorney about their case to determine what type of compensation may be available.
Pharmacist Unpaid Overtime Lawsuits
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you believe that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.