LOS ANGELES, CA — Two workers for an upscale Los Angeles area resort recently filed a proposed class action lawsuit against their employer over allegations that the company failed to pay them and other workers all their due wages for their time spent preparing for their shifts every day. The claim could potentially represent up to 600 current and former workers for the defendant, Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, if certified by the judge hearing the case.
According to the class action unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, workers for Terranea Resort were never paid for the time they spent every shift waiting to collect their uniforms and be transported by bus from a company rendezvous point to the resort. The plaintiffs claim that the defendants made workers show up at least 15 minutes before the transports ran to pick up their uniforms, without any compensation.
While federal court interpretations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) do hold that employers may not be responsible for compensating workers for very limited amounts of time on the job, called de minimis, California state laws have different statutes. The allegations, if true, would constitute serious violations of California wage laws and could add up to potentially significant sums of unpaid wages for workers.
Additionally, California labor and wage laws require employers give workers a 30-minute uninterrupted meal and rest break immediately following the individual’s fifth hour on the job or otherwise be compensated with an additional hour of regular hourly pay. The overtime pay lawsuit alleges the defendant violated the meal break statute in California as well and should be responsible for paying back workers with interest.
Generally, California labor and wage laws provide more protections for workers and enhanced legal options for wage theft victims attempting to recover all their due wages. Depending on the circumstances of the case, workers may be entitled to up to four years of back pay, an additional year from the maximum allowed under federal law.
Resort Worker 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.