Calif. McDonald’s Worker Class Action Settlement

A $26 million settlement has been reached to resolve claims that McDonald’s worker policies were unlawful and violated wage laws.

The settlement benefits non-managerial hourly workers who worked at one or more of McDonald’s corporate (i.e., non-franchised) restaurants in California at any time between Jan. 24, 2009 and March 4, 2020.

Eligible non-managerial hourly McDonald’s worker positions include crew members, crew trainers, primary maintenance persons, backup maintenance persons, crew OJEs, shift manager trainees, core crew members, crew chiefs, and MA core shift manager trainees.

A subclass is also certified, including the same workers who worked at least one shift that began on one calendar day and ended the next calendar day followed by a shift that began on the same calendar day that the overnight shift ended and who were not paid for all time worked in excess of eight hours in a 24-hour period.

Plaintiffs in the 2013 McDonald’s employee class action lawsuit claimed that the fast food restaurant committed a variety of wage and hour violations under California law. As a result, McDonald’s workers were allegedly denied fair wages and benefits.

According to the plaintiffs, the company failed their employees in the following ways:

• Failed to provide meal and rest breaks;
• Failed to pay overtime and minimum wage;
• Failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements;
• Failed to compensate McDonald’s worker expenses (uniform maintenance, etc.)
• Failed to pay all wages to discharged and/or quitting employees.

In 2017, a Los Angeles judge limited damages and penalties in the case to $750,000 upon finding that “the uncontroverted testimony established that McDonald’s believed that its payroll date overtime practice was fair and legally required.”

More recently, the fast food company agreed to a $26 million McDonald’s worker class action settlement to resolve the claims against them. However, the company has not admitted any wrongdoing.

Payments under the McDonald’s employee class action settlement will vary, but compensation for unpaid wages, back pay, interest, and penalties will be distributed amongst the Class Members and subclass based on the number of weeks worked, if they worked overnight shifts, and if their employment was terminated.

No claim form is required if Class Members received a notice in the mail. However, if you believe you are a Class Member but did not receive notice, you must print a claim form from the McDonald’s worker settlement website and mail it to the settlement administrator. These claims must be submitted by July 31, 2020.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is also July 31, 2020. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2020.

Who’s Eligible

Non-managerial hourly workers (crew members, crew trainers, primary maintenance persons, backup maintenance persons, crew OJEs, shift manager trainees, core crew members, crew chiefs, and MA core shift manager trainees) who worked at one or more of McDonald’s corporate (i.e., non-franchised) restaurants in California at any time between Jan. 24, 2009 and March 4, 2020.

A subclass is also certified, including the same workers who worked at least one shift that began on one calendar day and ended the next calendar day followed by a shift that began on the same calendar day that the overnight shift ended and who were not paid for all time worked in excess of eight hours in a 24-hour period.

Potential Award

Varies.

Compensation for unpaid wages, back pay, interest, and penalties will be distributed amongst the Class Members and subclass based on the number of weeks worked, if they worked overnight shifts, and if their employment was terminated.

Proof of Purchase

Personal and employment information (address of restaurant, dates of employment, etc.)

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Class Members who received notice in the mail are not required to file a claim form. If you believe you are a Class Member but did not receive a notice in the mail, you will need to print a claim form from the website and mail it to the settlement administrator. Class members with further questions can click here for more information.

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

7/31/2020

Case Name

Maria Sanchez, et al. v. McDonald’s Restaurants of California Inc., et al., Case No. BC499888, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles

Final Hearing

8/6/2020

Settlement Website

www.SanchezvMcDonaldsSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Sanchez, et al. v. McDonald’s Restaurants of California, Inc.
c/o CPT Group Inc.
50 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
[email protected]
1-888-927-0211

Class Counsel

Michael Rubin
Barbara J. Chisholm
Amanada C. Lynch
ALTSHULER BERZON LLP

Matthew Matern
Launa Adolph
MATERN LAW GROUP PC

Joseph Sellers
COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & TOLL PLLC

Defense Counsel

JONES DAY

Join a Free California Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

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

GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION NOW

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