NEW YORK — High-end retailer Burberry recently agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement with hundreds of current and former workers over allegations the company engaged in rampant wage theft, denying the plaintiffs overtime pay when they worked more than 40 hours per week. The unpaid overtime lawsuit settlement resolves almost two years of litigation, finally compensating the workers and holding Burberry responsible for its egregious business practices that attempted to increase the company’s bottom line at the expense of employees.
The class action unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in December of 2015 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that Burberry forced workers to complete essential job duties before and after scheduled shifts, without pay. Furthermore, the plaintiffs claimed that Burberry forced the class members to work through their 30-minute lunch breaks but did not compensate them for this time either, a violation of federal and New York state labor laws.
Even worse were allegations the plaintiffs were forced to work anywhere from three to six hours off the clock during busy holiday seasons and were expressly told by management that Burberry did not pay overtime to workers. Sadly, these types of allegations are far too common in the retail business, even in luxury brands. The case is a prime example of the lengths unscrupulous businesses will go to keep payroll and overtime low.
The $2.45 million overtime lawsuit settlement compensates an estimated 650 current and former workers each with $2,500 worth of back pay over a three-year period, the maximum allowed under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The resolutions also includes attorneys fees for the plaintiffs to cover the cost of litigating the matter.
Under the FLSA, workers can recover all their back pay with interest, liquidated damages equal to unpaid wages, court costs, attorneys fees, and any other compensation the court may see fit to award. In certain cases, the court may even impose orders on defendants to adopt new payroll and oversight procedures to ensure the wage theft does not occur ever again.
Retail Worker Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you feel 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.