Nearly 10,000 former and current Chipotle workers have joined a class action lawsuit, alleging that they were unpaid for hours worked “off the clock.” Philadelphia employment lawyers report that this wage and hour dispute comes in the wake of an E. coli controversy. Furthermore, with Chipotle having over 50,000 employees, and more than 1,700 locations in the U.S. and abroad, this class action lawsuit can grow in size quickly.
Employees in nearly every state where Chipotle has locations are alleging that they were expected to work long after they clocked out of their shift. Attorneys representing the employees allege that based on the size of the lawsuit, this practice was an un-official policy condoned by managers throughout the country. The class-action lawsuit is one of several similar lawsuits throughout the United States accusing Chipotle of unpaid wages.
The most common complaint among Chipotle employees is that they were required to close the restaurant and prepare for the next day hours after they had clocked out for their shift. Chipotle’s timeclock system automatically clocks out all employees by 12:30 AM, regardless of how much longer they actually work. One former Chipotle employee claims that she worked well past midnight, after already having completed a 12-hour shift.
The Federal Government Provides a Safety Net for Employees
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulates minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping for workers in the public and private sector. The Department of Labor (DOL) can recover unpaid wages from companies in violation of FLSA regulations. The DOL can also file suit on behalf of employees for back wages and penalties. Employees can also file private lawsuits in an effort to recover unpaid wages.
Chipotle denies the employees’ claims and says they have paid all wages owed to their employees. They claim that if employees were forced to work off the clock, it is the fault of a few errant managers. Many believe that based on the size and scope of the issue, it is a corporate-wide problem.
Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Fight to Recover Unpaid Wages
If you feel that your employer owes you unpaid wages, you need a team of qualified Philadelphia employment lawyers to handle your case. At The Gold Law Firm P.C.., our attorneys understand how the Fair Labor Standards Act protects every worker. Call our Center City Philadelphia offices today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online to evaluate your case for free. We serve clients throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
