Walmart worker threatens lawsuit over missing wages

California workers may be interested to learn that, on April 10, it was reported that retail giant Walmart could potentially be facing a lawsuit after allegedly failing to pay their managers for overtime. Under federal overtime laws, hourly employees must be paid time and a half for each extra hour that they work if they work more than 40 hours in a week.

One worker claimed that she was hired as a manager but was given the duties of a normal worker. However, because she was given the title of a manager, Walmart claimed that it was exempted from paying her time and a half when she worked more than 40 hours a week. She claimed that this happened to other workers as well. Additionally, the workers were reportedly denied their lunch and rest breaks.

Walmart has faced improper wage allegations in the past. In 2014, the retail giant was reportedly ordered to pay approximately $151 million in back wages to more than 180,000 employees after being accused of forcing employees to work off the clock during their lunch breaks. A spokesperson for the company stated that it was investigating the most recent allegations and would make their response in court.

In 2012 alone, more than $1 billion was recovered for those who were unlawfully denied their wages, though it is estimated that more than $50 billion are stolen from workers. An employment law attorney might help any current or former employee in such a situation to file a claim against the responsible employer. Legal counsel may help provide documentation that the employee was not receiving was legally owed or that the employer was forcing the employee to work off the clock.

Source: Think Progress, “Workers Sue Walmart For Manipulating Employee Classification To Deny Them Overtime Pay“, Bryce Covert, 04/10/2015