Investigation Initiated into Praxair Pay Problems

The subject of Praxair pay for drivers is the focus of a current class action investigation after former drivers raised claims of unpaid meal breaks and rest periods.

An investigation has recently been launched into Praxair to determine if break times for employees were wrongfully denied, and whether or not the company properly compensated its drivers.

Praxair pay for drivers should be treated the same as for any other wage-earning employee, in that they are eligible for compensation for any missing overtime, rest periods, or meal breaks. If the company fails to provide break times for employees or compensate these missing breaks, Praxair could be found in violation of California labor laws.

Overview of Praxair Pay Problems

Praxair is a delivery company that specializes in transporting gases and chemicals to different businesses across the country. The company requires its drivers to operate under strict occupational instructions. Due to the potentially dangerous nature of the cargo, the company requires drivers to stay with their vehicles at all times during their shifts.

This may prevent a driver from leaving the truck or jobsite for meals or rest periods, which often forces the employee’s meal break to be considerably shortened or completely dismissed. Break times for employees are vital components of the work day, as it provides the necessary relief and time for workers to eat or drink.

Under California labor law, Praxair and other companies must generally provide certain provisions and guarantees for non-exempt minimum wage employees including:

• 30 minute meal break for every five hours worked
• 10 minute rest break for every hour worked
• Companies must also allow their employees to have their meal breaks off-premises, and must spend the entire meal break not working
• An overtime rate of 1.5x their hourly rate, if employees worked over 40 hours in a work week or eight hours in a work day

If the employee is asked to work during their meal breaks or rest periods, they are considered “on duty” and must be treated as a normal work hour. If the company does not provide meal breaks or rest periods, employees must be compensated for one extra hour of pay for every missed break.

Praxair is no different in this regard and is required to compensate its employees for all hours worked. Praxair currently employs over 26,000 people in over 50 countries, with current job listings not mentioning any potential problems in getting sufficient meal breaks and rest periods on the company’s website.

The company also argues that these policies are in place to protect employees, and that it prioritizes quality assurance for its customers. Even if the drivers are required to stay with the trucks for safety, Praxair is still required to provide break times to employees or compensate break times in the Praxair pay.

Even though this is required by California labor laws, Praxair has been allegedly denying meal breaks and rest periods to drivers and failed to compensate them. Praxair drivers who are California residents may be able to file legal action and should confirm whether or not their missed break times are included in their Praxair pay.

Join a Free Praxair Driver Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you work or have worked as a truck driver for Praxair and you were denied meal and/or rest breaks during your shifts, you may qualify to file a Praxair wage and hour lawsuit or class action lawsuit.

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