The United States Supreme Court decided that they would not review a $35.6 million judgment against Family Dollar Stores, Inc. in a class action
wage and hour lawsuit. As a result, the 2008 U.S. Court of Appeals ruling will stand, awarding each of the 1,424 plaintiffs in the lawsuit approximately $29,000 in back pay.
The class action lawsuit claimed that Family Dollar Stores violated the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act by forcing employees to work 60-70 hours a week without receiving overtime pay since they were technically considered “managers.” However, much of their time at work was dedicated to non-managerial tasks such as mopping floors, unloading trucks, and stocking shelves.
A spokesperson for Family Dollar expressed the company’s disappointment at the Supreme Court’s decision, and they stand by their employment practices. Unfortunately, while the company will be forced to compensate employees for time worked, the ruling is unlikely to prevent them from committing similar wage and hour violations in the future.
If you have been the victim of unfair employment practices, an experienced employment lawyer can help you receive the fair compensation you deserve. It is important to hold employers accountable for their actions so that others are not subjected to similar unfair treatment in the future.
If you have a wage and hour claim in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact the Denver employment law attorneys at Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.
