$55M Nevada correctional officers settlement to end wage-and-hour dispute

Nevada correctional officers wage dispute settlement overview: 

• Who: The state of Nevada agreed to pay $55 million to resolve claims brought against it by state correctional officers.
• Why: The settlement resolves claims Nevada failed to compensate the correctional officers during required off-the-clock tasks, including shift briefings and uniform inspections.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Nevada federal court.

The state of Nevada agreed to pay $55 million to resolve claims it undercompensated the off-the-clock work of its correctional officers. 

The class action settlement ends a complaint filed nearly a decade ago in June 2014 by a group of correctional officers arguing Nevada’s Department of Corrections failed to properly compensate them.

The Nevada correctional officers claimed the state failed to pay them during required pre- and post-shift briefings and while undergoing uniform inspections — all allegedly off the clock. 

The federal judge overseeing the class action settlement approved of the settlement agreement, ruling it represents “a significant value to the class members.” 

“The settlement at this time will avoid additional substantial costs, as well as avoid the delay and risks that would be presented by the further prosecution of the action,” U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du says. 

Settlement will benefit around 5,400 Nevada correctional officers

Under the terms of the settlement, a class of around 5,400 Nevada correctional officers will be able to receive about 18.5 minutes in unpaid overtime wages for each shift they worked.

One-third of the settlement funds will go toward attorney fees, while the seven named plaintiffs will each receive service awards of $20,000 each, according to the class action settlement. 

Nevada had been accused by the correctional officers of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage laws. A previous decision by the state to remove the complaint to a federal court ensured it could not escape liability under the FLSA, Law360 reports. 

The Missouri Department of Corrections agreed to pay $49.5 million in a similar class action settlement in August to resolve claims it forced its officers to perform off-the-clock work. 

Has your employer required you to complete off-the-clock work? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiffs were represented by Mark Thierman, Joshua Buck, Leah Jones and Joshua Hendrickson of Thierman Buck LLP and Christian Gabroy and Kaine Messer of Gabroy Messer Law Offices.

The Nevada correctional officers wage dispute class action lawsuit is Walden, et al. v. State of Nevada, et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-00320, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

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