Philadelphia Employment Lawyers: Richmond Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Recently, 134 employees at Richmond, Virginia’s Department of Social Services have alleged that they were improperly denied overtime wages during the three years prior to June 2015. Richmond’s Mayor, Dwight C. Jones has asked the City Council to approve a $2.7 million settlement to resolve the lawsuit.
In their lawsuit, the government employees assert that they regularly worked more than 40 hours a week without overtime pay that they were entitled to receive under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Allegedly, they had excessive caseloads that required them to work during lunch, and also at home in the evenings and on weekends. They maintain that their managers told them that they needed to do whatever it took to get their jobs done. Their salaried positions were supposed to be scheduled for only 40 hours per week.
Even if the Richmond City Council approves the settlement, it is not clear how much money each of the effected employees would receive. As with most unpaid overtime lawsuits, some of the money would cover back wages, and some would cover penalties or damages, but it is not clear at this time how the award would be allocated.
Other similar lawsuits have plagued municipalities in the Richmond area. In 2012, Henrico County paid out $3.5 million to police officers who alleged that the county manipulated the way hours were recorded to avoid having to pay overtime. And in 2011, Richmond paid its own Police Department seven million dollars in a lawsuit over unpaid overtime.
Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green Pursue Maximum Compensation for Employees Denied Overtime Pay
Unfortunately, unpaid overtime lawsuits are very common. Often, employers will manipulate time sheets or work schedules in order to avoid paying employees the time-and-a-half wages they are rightfully owed. If you suspect that your employer has wrongfully denied you overtime pay, Philadelphia employment lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green can help. To schedule a consultation, call us at 215-574-0600 or contact us online today. With offices located in Philadelphia, we fight for workers throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey.