Apple Facing Wage and Hour Class Action in California

Apple, the popular computer and electronics company, is facing a wage and hour class action lawsuit for allegedly violating California’s wage and hour laws.

The wage and hour class action lawsuit was brought by employees of Apple retail stores who claim store managers required the employees to remain at work for 10-15 minutes after they had clocked out in order to have their bags and purses checked before leaving.

According to the California wage and hour class action lawsuit, at the end of their shifts, Apple employees were subjected to mandatory bag checks that were embarrassing and demeaning and Apple failed to compensate the employees for their time. The wage and hour class action lawsuit seeks damages for unpaid wages and overtime as well as other appropriate damages.

The Apple class action lawsuit was first filed two years ago in 2013. The wage and hour lawsuit faced several legal challenges at first, including a dismissal in 2014, but was finally granted class certification earlier this year by a San Francisco federal judge. In order for a class action lawsuit to proceed, a judge must first certify the class, or the members who will be involved in the lawsuit.

The requirements for class certification can vary between state and federal court but they generally require the class to have enough potential members to make individual joinder impractical, each class member’s grievance must share a common question of law or fact, the named plaintiff must fairly represent the class, and the named plaintiff must be typical of the group.

Amanda F. and Dean P. are the original plaintiffs in the case, and they claim that Apple’s bag check policy which was initiated to discourage theft, treated employees like criminals as the searches were often performed in front of customers.

In response to the wage and hour class action lawsuit, Apple argues that the wage and hour lawsuit was undeserving of class status because not every store manager conducted the bag searches. Apple also argues that when searches were performed they took up so little time that compensation was not necessary.

Overview of California Labor Law Lawsuits

California labor laws protect employees from unfair employment practices. Employers who violate these labor laws can face steep penalties and in many cases must compensate victims for enduring the violations.

Violations of California labor laws include off-the-clock work, unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, misclassification, missed meals and breaks, and tip pooling.

Wage and hour class action lawsuits help hold employers accountable for their actions and remind companies that they are required to follow state and federally mandated labor laws.

Whether or not a wage and hour lawsuit should be brought is a decision that should be made on a case by case basis with the advice of a legal professional.

Join a Free California Overtime, Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay in California within the past 2 to 3 years, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone.

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