NEW ORLEANS, LA — A former death investigator for the Orleans Parish, Louisiana coroner’s office recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against the department over allegations that the defendant wrongfully denied her overtime pay despite her frequently working more than 40 hours a week. The lawsuit comes after the plaintiff claims she was improperly dismissed from her position follow a social media post the plaintiff claims was a protected act under federal law since the content was work related.
According to the unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the plaintiff worked for the Orleans Parish coroner’s office from February 2015 until January 2017 investigating homicides and other fatalities. When calls came in at the end of her shift, she was required to continue working on the case, resulting in what should have been overtime pay that never materialized.
The lawsuit further claims retaliation on the part of the defendant following the plaintiff’s dismissal after expressing displeasure on social media over a co-worker refusing to take over a homicide investigation at the end of the plaintiff’s overnight shift on New Year’s Eve 2016. The plaintiff asserts her communication was a protected act under federal labor and wage laws that give workers the right to express their concerns about working conditions to their employers.
Federal Overtime Pay Laws
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets national requirements on minimum wage and overtime pay that covers almost all workers in the country, with limited exceptions. The FLSA requires all non-overtime exempt workers earn at least $7.25 per hour or the applicable state minimum wage. Furthermore, the law requires workers earn at least one and a half times their average hourly rate of pay when working more than 40 hours per week.
The FLSA also makes it illegal for employers to fire workers demanding compliance with the law or those who take the step of filing complaints. These are considered protected acts under the law and defendants could be subject to pay additional damages if found to be in violation of the provisions.
Investigator Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call 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.