Bob Evans Farms may be required to pay as much as $20 million in back overtime pay to assistant managers as the result of three wage and hour lawsuits filed against the restaurant chain. Bob Evans assistant managers claim that the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by forcing them to work upwards of 45-50 hours per week at a flat salary while performing the same duties as hourly employees.
In the first class-action lawsuit, filed in 2012 by David Snodgrass, a judge ruled that any overtime awarded to the plaintiffs would be paid at one and a half times an employee’s hourly rate for all time exceeding 40 hours per week. According to Bob Evans Farms’ annual report, if the other two cases are decided in favor of the plaintiffs, the company could owe close to $20 million. This would be a huge financial blow to Bob Evans, which lost nine million dollars last quarter and was forced to cut more than 60 headquarters positions.
The FLSA determines whether or not employees are eligible for overtime pay. Employees in supervisory roles may be improperly classified as exempt from overtime if their managerial responsibilities are only a minimal part of their job. Philadelphia wage and hour lawyers at the Law Offices of Sidkoff, Pincus & Green routinely represent clients in FLSA and overtime disputes. For professional, effective legal representation in Philadelphia, submit an online contact form or call our Philadelphia business lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green at 215-574-0600.