How Do I Join a Class Action and How Does it Work for Me?

What is a Class-Action Lawsuit?

Class Actions can have many benefits for employees and consumers.  At its most basic, a class-action allows for one court to  decide together in one case issues impacting many people, usually when the amount at issue is too little to attract competent counsel for individual cases but the number of people impacted by the alleged illegal practice may be very large.  When addressed together, the claims are sufficient to support a lawsuit – whether a Federal Court Class action or sometimes in state court.

How can I Join a Class-Action Lawsuit?

Participation in a Class Action depends on court approval or “certification” of the class. If you think you are potentially covered by a class action lawsuit, Continue reading “How Do I Join a Class Action and How Does it Work for Me?”

Working off the Clock – Alro Steel FLSA Overtime Pay Lawsuit

Federal Court Orders Notice to Alro Steel Employees in Nationwide Overtime Lawsuit

Blanchard & Walker sent the court approved notice to 2500+ Alro Steel employees who may have a right to seek recover for off-the-clock uncompensated time at Alro Steel facilities throughout the country. Federal District Court Judge Murphy for the Eastern District of Michigan, granted conditional certification and ordered notice of FLSA rights to opt-in for current and former warehouse employees of Alro Steel Corporation. Continue reading “Working off the Clock – Alro Steel FLSA Overtime Pay Lawsuit”

Delivery Driver Class Action Lawsuits at Blanchard & Walker

Many companies require workers to use their own cars for work, yet fail to reimburse their drivers adequately for the use of the car.  Here’s what you don’t know about Pizza delivery drivers.  Delivery drivers end up putting thousands of miles of wear-and-tear on their cars, paying for gas and repairs — before they realize the true cost of delivery driver work.  Continue reading “Delivery Driver Class Action Lawsuits at Blanchard & Walker”

Should I be Getting Overtime Pay If I am Paid on Commissions?

There is an “Commission Sales” overtime exemption under Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 USC Section 207(i)… but are those payments really “commissions”?

Under Section 207(i) commission sales employees are exempt from overtime requirements, but only if:

  1. the regular rate of pay of such employee is in excess of one and one-half times the federal minimum hourly rate (1.5 x 7.25/hr) , and
  2. more than half their compensation for a representative period (not less than one month) represents commissions on goods or services.  29 U.S.C. 207(i).

There are plenty of people that work under phony “commission plans” who actually should receive overtime pay at time and a half for their hours over 40.  Continue reading “Should I be Getting Overtime Pay If I am Paid on Commissions?”

RETURN-TO-WORK: WORKPLACE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING COVID-19

Ten Steps all Workplaces Can take to Prevent COVID-19 Exposure

For those who are working in public during the COVID-19 outbreak, effective workplace safety is a great concern. For everyone’s safety, violations should be reported to local public health departments and appropriate state agencies. Discrimination or retaliation for raising COVID-19 workplace safety concerns is prohibited.

Continue reading “RETURN-TO-WORK: WORKPLACE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING COVID-19”

COVID-19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present many challenges for the Michigan workplace.  The law and circumstances are changing almost daily.  We are regularly monitoring and updating workplace rights resources we have found helpful.  Additional Blanchard & Walker Resource Pages and Factsheets provide more detailed discussion on specific COVID-19 topics:

Continue reading “COVID-19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES”

Pizza Delivery Drivers Shorted on Vehicle Reimbursements Achieve Class Settlement in Largest Michigan Lawsuit of its Kind   

Pizza franchises take a slice out of every driver’s pay.

Final approval of the $650,000 settlement package clears the way for the largest known class action settlement of its kind in Michigan – covering ten Hungry Howie’s franchise locations in Mid-Michigan. The Pizza Driver Lawsuits alleged a common complaint among drivers in the industry – that systematic under-reimbursement for mileage and vehicle expenses violates the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and Michigan Minimum Wage laws.  Even while consenting to the settlement, the pizza stores continue to deny liability and deny that they underpay drivers for their vehicle expenses.

Continue reading “Pizza Delivery Drivers Shorted on Vehicle Reimbursements Achieve Class Settlement in Largest Michigan Lawsuit of its Kind   “

COVID -19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES

The COVID-19 Outbreak is presenting many challenges for the Michigan workplace.  Yet the law and circumstances are changing almost daily.  We are regularly monitoring and updating workplace rights resources we have found helpful.  We are updating this material as it becomes available.  Keep in mind this is not intended to be legal advice.  Legal rights in any individual case need to be evaluated in consultation with an attorney.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND COVID-19

As of April 13, 2020, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has begun accepting applications for the broadest category of potential recipients under federal law reforms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “COVID -19 EMPLOYMENT LAW INSIGHTS AND RESOURCES”

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

MDHHS: What should you do if you think you have been exposed?

Responding to the Coronavirus Outbreak as legal professionals means constant monitoring so that we can provide clients and callers with the most up-to-date information and advice possible.   The  Families First Coronavirus Response Act has temporarily expanded paid leave rights in two important ways: creating a paid sick leave benefit for certain workers affected by the outbreak and a 12 week paid caregiver leave for parents caring for minor children during school closures.  How does it work? Continue reading “Families First Coronavirus Response Act”

Blanchard & Walker: Fighting Payroll Fraud for Independent Contractors

Clocking overtime
Company’s Use “Independent Contractor” Agreements to Avoid Paying Overtime to Employees.

Blanchard & Walker lawyers have been fighting for over a decade to secure the rights of cable technicians and other laborers who have been deprived of overtime pay by the use of “independent contractor” labels.  Still, we are amazed by the depth of the problem and astonished to hear how extreme and widespread the abuse of “independent contractor” classifications has become.   Continue reading “Blanchard & Walker: Fighting Payroll Fraud for Independent Contractors”