Lear Werts LLP files class action lawsuit against Hy-Vee grocery chain for unpaid wages and overtime

March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The Columbia Missouri law firm of Lear Werts LLP has filed a class action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri in Independence on behalf of all "department managers" who have worked for the grocery chain Hy-Vee, Inc. during the last 5 years.  

This case alleges that Hy-Vee classifies these department managers as non-exempt employees, but pays them a flat salary regardless of how many hours they work.  This salary is based on a 45 hour workweek, but Hy-Vee does not track the actual hours worked by the these employees.  As a result, these department managers frequently work 50-60 hours per week, but are paid as though they had only worked 45.

The case is brought under the Missouri Minimum Wage Law that allows an employee to recover two-times the amount of money that has been unlawfully withheld by an employer for the two-year period prior to the filing of the case as well as a claim for unjust enrichment which allows an employee to recover the value of his or her uncompensated work over a five-year period.  The named plaintiff will be seeking certification for the case to proceed as a class action under both of these theories.

Lear Werts LLP is a Columbia Missouri law firm of attorneys that handle serious personal injury, workers compensation, and employment matters throughout Missouri.  More information about the firm's wage and hour practice can be found at http://www.learwerts.com/Employment/Unpaid-Overtime/.

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Lear Werts LLP is a law firm representing individuals in Missouri in personal injury, workers' compensation, and employment litigation. Additionally, the firm represents workers from around the country in claims for unpaid wages and overtime.