Melehy & Associates LLC wins decisive, landmark case in favor of fair pay for front-line grocery store workers.
For Sales Representatives who are responsible for stocking shelves at supermarket chains, working hours can range between 50-80 hours per week or more and often, overtime is not compensated fairly according to the law.
Melehy & Associates LLC went to trial in a case involving several sales representatives, one who had worked for 14 years without ever receiving overtime pay. In a ruling, the U.S. District Court in Maryland decided that the Fair Labor Standards Act does apply, and compensation for unpaid overtime must be provided. In the words of one of the Sales Representatives, “I have waited a long time for this moment and now feel vindicated by the Judge’s ruling.”
Suvita Melehy, of Melehy & Associates LLC commented: “We are exceedingly pleased with the Court’s ruling, which will have far-reaching impact on many front-line grocery store workers all across the nation. The plaintiffs are essential workers who write orders and stock shelves at grocery stores. They deserve to be paid overtime pay for the countless hours they toil to ensure that food gets to our tables. The pandemic has brought to the forefront the importance of the plaintiffs’ work and it is our hope that this ruling will bring about much-needed change to the industry to ensure that these workers are not exploited.”
Melehy & Associates Represents Almost Exclusively Employees, and Has a Proven Track Record in Wage and Hour and Discrimination Cases
The Firm Has the Experience to Protect Your Rights
At Melehy & Associates LLC, our attorneys collectively have decades of experience in wage and hour law and discrimination law and are committed to protecting the rights of the employees it represents.
Are You Being Deprived of Minimum Wage?
Most non-professional workers are required to be paid overtime, which is time-and-a- half for all hours worked over 40 in a work week.
Sometimes, employers just ignore the law and pay workers the same rate for all their hours, even those above 40.
Other times, they use clever tactics to avoid paying time-and-a-half. One is to put you on a salary (this could be an annual salary, a “daily rate” or a fixed weekly amount). But this violates the law, because salaried employees are entitled to extra pay for overtime hours, just like hourly workers.
Another common tactic is to label you as an “independent contractor”. But the vast majority of so-called “independent contractors” are really employees, who are entitled to overtime pay. So, don’t be fooled!
Contact Our Firm
With many issues, the sooner you speak with an attorney, the more quickly you can resolve the matter. Call our attorneys at our Silver Spring office at 301-587-6364 or use our online form.
