The article describes the spate of lawsuits filed in New York against high profile restaurants for alleged wage theft for unpaid wages and tips. The increase in lawsuits for unpaid overtime and other wage claims is a trend being seen all around the country. The article which can be read in full by clicking on the link at the start of this post states in part:
Some of the city’s hottest chefs and restaurateurs are increasingly being targeted by lawsuits filed by a handful of attorneys on behalf of small numbers of employees.
This week’s targets include Michael White and Chris Cannon’s restaurant group, which runs three upscale Italian restaurants in Manhattan, and Masaharu Morimoto of “Iron Chef” fame. They come on top of a suit filed in federal court last month against Italian giants Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich that has grown to at least 20 plaintiffs from two.
The suits have similar allegations: that restaurants are depriving low-level employees of due tip wages in violation of state and federal labor laws. Some also allege that restaurants fail to abide by a state law requiring that employees receive an extra hour of pay if they work for 10 or more hours in one day. They seek unpaid wages and tips, interest, liquidated damages and attorney’s fees, and all seek class-action certification.
The Chicago overtime lawyers at Lubin Austermuehle represent employees from all industries, jobs and backgrounds in claims for unpaid overtime pay. Federal law makes overtime a right — not a privilege that can be denied in order to save money for the employer. Nonetheless, too many employers tighten their belts by essentially stealing labor from their employees, by shaving hours off timecards, pressuring employees to work off the clock or incorrectly classifying them as exempt from overtime. Our Wheaton, Ill. employee rights attorneys handle both individual and class-action lawsuits from workers who are ready to stand up for their rights and collect hundreds or thousands of dollars in unpaid wages. Based in Chicago and its suburbs, we represent or have represented clients throughout Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and all over the United States.
If you believe your labor has been stolen by an employer that consistently refused to pay overtime, the Chicago based attorneys at Lubin Austermuehle can help. To set up a free consultation with one of our Oak Brook, Wheaton, Naperville or Chicago unpaid overtime attorneys, call us toll-free at 630-333-0333 or send us an email.