LOS ANGELES — Nationwide jeweler Zales Delaware Inc. recently settled a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit with thousands of former associates for $1.8 million over allegations the company failed to pay plaintiffs all due wages for hours worked. The claim, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, covers about 2,500 plaintiffs in California who worked for the defendant over a four-year period back from the date the suit was first filed.
According to the lawsuit, Zales violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by shaving minutes off employees’ time cards and denying overtime wages. Furthermore, the complaint alleges the defendant instituted unfair meal break and rest periods in violation of California wage and labor laws.
The defendant hoped to decertify the class in July 2016, arguing an Appeals Court ruling in a case involving Time Warner Cable invalidated the class action certification in the Zales case. However, the District Court Judge hearing this particular case disagreed and allowed the matter to continue the litigation process.
Each plaintiff in the case is expected to receive about $500 in unpaid overtime, depending on how long the individual worked for Zales and how many hours he or she logged while on the job. For her effort in filing the suit, the lead plaintiff will receive an additional $10,000 award on top of her lost wages.
What Can I Recover in an Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit?
Under federal wage laws, wage theft victims can recover up to three years of back pay plus interest and even liquidated damages equal to the amount of unpaid overtime. Furthermore, courts may see fit to impose injunctions on defendants to ensure future wage theft does not strike other workers.
Additionally, in certain class action or collective action unpaid overtime lawsuits, lead plaintiffs may also receive extra compensation for taking the initiative and risk of filing the claim. Other state wage laws may allow plaintiffs to recover additional years of lost overtime pay and other damages, if applicable.
California 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.