SAN ANTONIO — Eight workers recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against a popular bakery in Rio Grande, Texas accusing the defendant of failing to pay them for their overtime hours. The suit was filed against De Alba Bakery in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas and seeks the unpaid overtime, interest, and attorneys’ fees.
According to the complaint, before September 2015 the bakery’s owners enforced a policy to not pay overtime to employees who worked more than 40 hours in a week. The claim alleges violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act which sets forth strict laws on minimum wage, overtime, and other wage and labor practices.
Local labor advocates claim the practice described in the lawsuit is an all too common occurrence in the Rio Grande area and one that keeps low wage earners in poverty since employers routinely fail to properly compensate workers. Many times, employees in the food services are immigrants who may not have strong English skills and are therefore uninformed about wage and overtime laws.
Fortunately, the law gives all workers legal recourse to hold their employers responsible for wage theft by filing unpaid overtime lawsuits. With the aid of an experienced attorney, wage theft victims can file claims to recover their back pay as well as interest on the unpaid wages, attorney’s fees, and even liquidated damages.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees can typically recover up to two-years of back pay. However, if the employer intentionally violated the provisions of the FLSA, plaintiffs may be able to recover a total of three years of unpaid wages as well as other damages.
Workers believing they may be the victim of wage theft should strongly consider speaking to an experienced and qualified unpaid overtime lawyer about their case. Filing suit can not only recover wages but also hold wrongdoers accountable and ensure the behavior does not continue to affect other hard working employees trying to provide for themselves and their families.
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.