Stockton Class Action Wage & Hour Claims Lawyer

Many California workers face problems when it comes to their employer’s compliance with state wage and hour laws. Rather than deal with these issues on an individual basis, a group of employees can instead take on their employer through a class action. The Stockton class action wage and hour claims lawyers at Venardi Zurada LLP can represent you in filing and maintaining such a lawsuit.

What Is a Class Action Wage and Hour Claim?

There are a number of federal and state laws a California employer must follow with respect to employee compensation and hours. For example, unless an employee is considered “exempt,” they must be given a certain number of break periods during their shift and paid an overtime rate if they work more than a specified number of hours. Many employers try to skirt these obligations by misclassifying employees as “exempt” or even as “independent contractors.”

When an employer’s wage and hour violations affect a large number of employees, those employees can use the class action process to collectively pursue legal remedies. For instance, if an employer requires all of their employees to “work off the clock” or denies required meal breaks, the employees can file a class action to remedy this common violation of their rights.

A class action basically enables employees to poll their resources by filing a single lawsuit on behalf of the entire group. This has a couple of advantages. First, it is easier for a single class action attorney to devote the necessary time and attention to the case, as opposed to having dozens–and potentially hundreds–of lawyers duplicating the same effort on behalf of individual workers. Second, employers are more likely to seek a negotiated settlement when the alternative is facing a single, unified class of employees in court.

To be clear, not every wage and hour case meets the requirements for a class action. There are three requirements that a proposed class must meet under California law:

• There must be an ascertainable and sufficiently numerous class of employees;
• There must be a well-defined community of interest among the proposed class members; and
• There must be substantial benefits from the class action that make it preferable to dealing with the alleged wage and hour violations on an individual basis.

Typically, a small number of employees serve as “class representatives.” They are responsible for filing and managing the class action on behalf of all of the affected employees. If and when the class action results in a judgment or settlement, these representatives are also responsible for notifying the class members regarding their rights.

Our Stockton Class Action Wage and Hour Lawyers Can Help

A class action is a complex form of litigation that requires years of training and experience to bring to a successful resolution for the class members. That is why it is essential to work with a qualified Stockton class action wage and hour lawyer. Call Venardi Zurada LLP today at (833) VZ FOR ME to schedule a free confidential consultation.

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