Seven domestic employees have sued reality star Kim Kardashian West for a slew of violations of employment laws. The house staff claim Kardashian West refused to give them mandatory breaks for meals and rest, pay overtime wages earned, provide a way to record all hours worked, or reimburse for expenses. They are also accusing their employers of not paying for all hours worked, outstanding wages upon termination, and withholding taxes from paychecks without reporting their employment to tax authorities. Kardashian West, who recently was added to Forbes’ list of billionaires for the first time, has claimed through a representative that all these matters were handled by a vendor and she has never failed to properly pay a vendor.
The accusations levied against Kardashian West reflect a growing trend of employers, famous or otherwise, attempting to subvert or outright violate employment laws through practices that distance themselves from workers. Using subcontractors or classifying employees as independent contractors gives companies the mindset that they can do as they please, including low pay, refusing to offer benefits, or creating unsustainable expectations for working conditions. Using a fissured workplace business model separates executives from the lower-level employees – and can lead to workers’ rights violations. While ethically objectionable, it is not illegal. Subcontractors often cannot offer the same benefits or pay scale as bigger, more profitable companies could offer. Instead, the lowered costs and responsibility attracts more employers, putting more workers in jeopardy.
All workers deserve to be paid fairly and have their rights honored by employers. If you feel your bosses are refusing to give you what you deserve, it can be intimidating to challenge them. The Philadelphia employment attorneys at The Gold Law Firm P.C. have the experience to take on your case and will work to get you the best result. Call today at 215-569-1999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. With offices in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, NJ, we are ready to serve the hard-working residents of Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Cherry Hill, South Jersey.
