Quality Labor Services racial discrimination $150K class action settlement

Quality Labor Services has agreed to a $150,000 settlement to resolve claims of racial discrimination against Black applicants.

Class members include all Black applicants who sought work assignments through Quality Labor Services LLC at its Gurnee, Illinois, office at any point between Oct. 13, 2012, and Feb. 17, 2022, but who, on one or more occasions, were not assigned by Quality Labor Services to work at one or more of its client companies.

Quality Labor Services provides hiring and placement services for skilled industrial, hospitality, manufacturing and other positions, according to its website.

Quality Labor Services has not admitted any wrongdoing in response to the claims of racial discrimination, but has agreed to the class action settlement in the interest of avoiding the costs and risks of continued litigation.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, class members can collect a cash payment.

Up to one third of the settlement amount has been allocated to cover attorneys’ fees and costs and the cost of administering the settlement. 

Class members are eligible to receive portions of the remainder of the settlement based on the number of class members who submit valid claims for benefits. 

Half of each claimant’s payment will be considered wages and will be reported as such on an Internal Revenue Service Form W-2. The other half will be considered compensatory damages and will be reported on a Form 1099. 

The settlement administrator’s website notes: “Appropriate withholding of federal, state, and local income taxes, and the Claimants’ share of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes shall be deducted from the respective Settlement Payments and reported in the above referenced Form W-2. Other than the withholding and reporting requirements herein, Claimants shall be solely responsible for the reporting and payment of their share of any federal, state, and/or local income or other taxes on payments received pursuant to this settlement.”

Class members are invited to attend a final fairness hearing in the Quality Labor Services settlement scheduled for Sept. 15, 2022.

The deadline to opt out of, submit a dispute or file an objection to the settlement is Sept. 1, 2022.

The deadline to file a claim for benefits is also Sept. 1, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Class members include all Black applicants who sought work assignments through Quality Labor Services LLC at its Gurnee, Illinois, office at any point between Oct. 13, 2012, and Feb. 17, 2022, but who, on one or more occasions, were not assigned by Quality Labor Services to work at one or more of its client companies.

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

09/01/2022

Case Name

Pruitt, et al. v. Quality Labor Services, et al., Case No. 16-cv-09718, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division

Final Hearing

09/15/2022

Settlement Website

QLS-Settlement.com

Claims Administrator

QLS Settlement Class Claims Administrator
c/o Atticus Administration
PO Box 64053
St. Paul, MN 55164
QLS-settlement@atticusadmin.com
888-233-2228

Class Counsel

Robert S Libman
Benjamin J Blustein
MINER BARNHILL & GALLAND PC

Christopher J Williams
NATIONAL LEGAL ADVOCACY NETWORK

Defense Counsel

KOREY RICHARDSON LLP