Workwell Biometric Scanners $900K Class Action Settlement

Workwell will pay $900,000 as part of a class action lawsuit settlement resolving claims its finger- and facial-scanning products violated Illinois law.

The settlement benefits companies that used a Workwell fingerprint or facial scanning device for timekeeping in Illinois between March 28, 2014, and April 8, 2019. Individuals whose employers are in this group and join the settlement are also eligible for settlement benefits.

Workwell Technologies offers time clock solutions such as fingerprint scanners. Employers can use these devices as time clocks, allowing their workers to clock in and out of work with a simple press of a finger. 

However, a class action lawsuit filed in 2019 alleged the company may have violated state law by storing these biometrics without consent.

According to the class action lawsuit, Workwell violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), the state’s answer to biometric security concerns and helps secure biometrics such as fingerprint scans, facial scans, and more.

Plaintiffs in the case claimed Workwell’s cloud-based fingerprint database failed to comply with the state law’s requirements for disclosure and consent.

According to the Workwell class action lawsuit, Class Members should have been told how their biometrics were being stored and should have been given the opportunity to provide written consent.

Workwell hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $900,000 to resolve these BIPA allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, employers who utilized a Workwell scanner can recover a pro rata share of the settlement fund. Payments will vary but are estimated to be $50.

Employees whose employers participate in the settlement can also recover a cash payment. According to the settlement, these Class Members could receive cash payments of around $650.

In addition to providing cash payments, Workwell has agreed to comply with BIPA regulations in the future.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Jan. 18, 2022. 

The final approval hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2022.

In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members must submit a valid claim form or W-9 form by March 22, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits companies that used a Workwell fingerprint or facial scanning device for timekeeping in Illinois between March 28, 2014, and April 8, 2019. Individuals whose employers are in this group and join the settlement are also eligible for settlement benefits.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

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

03/22/2022

Case Name

Muniz v. Workwell Technologies, Inc., Case No: 2019-CH-04061, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Final Hearing

02/22/2022

Settlement Website

WorkwellBIPASettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Muniz v. Workwell Technologies, Inc.
Settlement Administrator
PO Box 58244
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8244
888-665-1127

Class Counsel

Jay Edelson
Ari Scharg
J. Eli Wade-Scott
EDELSON PC

David Fish
FISH LAW FIRM PC

Defense Counsel

Daniel T. Graham
Timothy R. Herman
CLARK HILL PLC