We Stop Wage Theft attorneys are representing current and former employees of Saks Fifth Avenue in a class-action lawsuit against the company. The suit names Saks & Company and Saks Incorporated as defendants. The lawsuit brings claims under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and California overtime laws for failing to pay employees for time spent going through security screenings and pre-shift meetings.
Unfortunately, many employers, including department stores, require their workers to participate in off-the-clock meetings and security screenings. But requiring employees to work without pay is illegal. If you have worked in retail and were forced to spend time in security screenings or meetings without pay, you may be eligible to bring a claim for unpaid wages.
What Does the Complaint Allege?
The lawsuit claims that Saks Fifth Avenue made its hourly workers participate in Security Screenings and Pre-Shift Meetings. Sales Associates allege that they were required to go through time-consuming security checks before they clocked in and after they clocked out at the end of the workday.
Saks also required employees to attend meetings before their scheduled shifts. Saks required Sales Associates to arrive at work an hour before their shifts so they could attend these meetings.
The complaint also alleges that Saks did not allow workers to clock in until a specified time, even though employees began working at an earlier time. These practices prevented workers from properly recording all of their hours worked. As a result, Saks failed to pay employees for all of the time they spent in-store.
The lawsuit seeks to recover lost and unpaid wages, overtime compensation, penalties, interest, and other damages for the employees.
The case is Stewart-Alexander v. Saks & Company LLC, No. 4:21-cv-02384 (N.D. Cal.).
How Can I Learn More About Joining a Class Action?
Employees need to know their rights. It’s the only way of ensuring that your employer isn’t taking advantage of you.
If your employer has required you to participate in off-the-clock meetings or security screenings, please contact We Stop Wage Theft at 844-696-7492 or email us at [email protected] or you can fill out the form on this page.
We will promptly evaluate your claim. And we let you know if you are eligible to participate in a lawsuit for unpaid wages.
Do I Have to Pay Attorney’s Fees?
No. We Stop Wage Theft attorneys handle claims for unpaid wages on a contingent fee basis. The lawyers don’t get paid unless you get paid.