Ashley Milano  |  April 23, 2015

Category: Labor & Employment

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Outback Steakhouse An unpaid wages class action lawsuit has been filed against Bloomin’ Brands, owner of Outback Steakhouse, alleging that employees were forced to perform off the clock work for the popular steakhouse chain.

The unpaid wages lawsuit alleges Bloomin’ Brands violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in failing to adequately pay employees for all hours worked.

According to the Outback class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of plaintiffs Brooke C. and Cody H., employees were denied their paid and unpaid breaks, and were required to perform job-related duties before scheduled shifts, and therefore on unpaid time.

Specifically, the wage and hour violations class action lawsuit alleges that employees were required to be on-site and starting work 10 to 15 minutes before their scheduled shifts (time known as “Outback Time”) but were prohibited from clocking in, were required to not be clocked in the full time they worked, and were prohibited from receiving pay for training time and mandatory company meetings.

“Bloomin’ maintains a steadfast, single-minded focus on minimizing its labor costs,” the employee class action lawsuit alleges. “Two fundamental foci of this policy – ingrained in its managers – are the need to have as many tasks as possible performed by as few employees as possible, and a strict restraint on the payment of overtime wages.”

The result, the wage and hour lawsuit claims, is that employees were forced to begin their tasks before starting their shifts and the time spent working for Outback was, according to the Outback class action lawsuit, substantially understated in the timekeeping records.

“Specifically, workers responsible for preparing the restaurant for opening each day were required to work up to two hours prior to opening, but forced to ‘clock-in’ only thirty minutes prior to opening,” the wage and hour lawsuit states. Those who refused to work on “Outback Time” allegedly had their jobs threatened.

Bloomin’ Brands, corporate parent of Outback Steakhouse, has policies that force “tens of thousands of minimum-wage employees” to perform certain work-related functions without being paid. Further, the wage and hour class action lawsuit alleges the company violates the Fair Labor Standards Act in an array of ways with policies that, among other things, don’t let workers take breaks and don’t “provide the required time and opportunity for nursing mothers to express milk.”

A recent amended complaint expanded the scope of the original labor laws violations lawsuit. It says in addition to not paying employees for required work-related hours, the company also failed to meet minimum wage and overtime pay standards set by state and federal law.

Attorneys for the restaurant workers seek back pay and damages on behalf of a nationwide Class of Outback Steakhouse employees and seek to enforce the workers’ rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Outback Steakhouse Wage and Hour Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:13-cv-01820, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

UPDATE July 25, 2016: Outback Steakhouse agreed to a $3 million settlement in the wage and hour class action lawsuit.  Settlement details can be found here: http://www.outbacksettlement.com/

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7 thoughts onOutback Steakhouse Faces Wage and Hour Class Action

  1. Amanda Alford says:

    I have documentation of time deleted from me within the last 3 month’s.

  2. Nathan says:

    Hey, I lost my letter but there is a form online I can print out and fill out. But where do I send it once I’ve filled it out to receive payment?

    Thank you !

  3. Top Class Actions says:

    UPDATE July 25, 2016: Outback Steakhouse agreed to a $3 million settlement in the wage and hour class action lawsuit. Settlement details can be found here: http://www.outbacksettlement.com/

  4. Christine O'Flynn says:

    I received a letter for the law suit against Outback Steakhouse for un paid jours but I missplaced the paper work. If someone could help me persue this matter my name is Christine O’Flynn 512 699 5256. Or email oflynnchristine@yahoo.com. during the course of my employment as a salary Manager I was not paid for un used vacation time of 3 weeks when I resigned with 3 weeks notice. Thanks Christine, also Managers are paid for a 40hr week but we are scheduled 55hrs plus some.

  5. Daniel suchodolski says:

    My name is Daniel Suchodolski and my brother who worked at outback steakhouse recieved a letter in the mail in regard to this lawsuit and I have not. I worked for the same outback steakhouse in IL during the same time period. I prevously worked for two locations ( the I90 location in Park Ridge and the Crystal Lake location) please contact me at you earliest convience at dansuchodolski@gmail.com or by phone 623-285-4546

  6. Richard Bolds says:

    I received a letter for the law suit against outback for working off the clock (tests) I’ve missed placed the paper work.my address is 9041 Cochise ln Port Richey ,Fl 34668 or 727 -456-7119

    1. Justin Caste says:

      I don’t think it’s a good idea to post your personal information on the web like this. Just my 2 cents.

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