CINCINNATI, OH — A group of workers for an Ohio location of a Midwest retail chain recently filed a class action unpaid overtime lawsuit in federal court over allegations that the company failed to properly pay them and potentially hundreds of other workers across the country for all their hours worked. Menards, which operates more than 300 home improvement stores in over a dozen states, alleged underpaid at least 160 current and former workers by deducting hours for short rest breaks and employee meetings.
According to the class action lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Menards required workers to clock out for 20-minute rest breaks, including other short respites to use the restroom, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the law, short-paid rest breaks are considered a normal part of work operations and workers should be compensated for this time.
Furthermore, Menards also allegedly failed to pay workers for team meetings held during scheduled shifts and also required workers to perform work at home for job training but did not pay employees for this time either. The FLSA requires companies to follow all federal labor laws and pay workers at least the federal minimum wage or applicable state minimum wage, if higher. When employers force workers to clock out for short breaks, fail to take into account work done at home, or do not count training and meetings towards payroll, workers may be denied overtime pay.
When employees spend more than 40-hours in a week working, their employers must pay them at least one and a half times the individual’s average hourly rate of pay, as required under the FLSA. When employers violated the FLSA, wage theft victims can hire a private attorney to recover their back pay with interest, liquidated damages equal to unpaid wages, and attorneys fees to cover the cost of litigation. Under certain conditions, workers can file class action lawsuit to recover their wages as a group, rather than litigate claims on an individual basis.
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.