CALIFORNIA – Amazon has agreed to a $3 million settlement to compensate employees in California for unpaid overtime wages. The settlement addresses those workers who received a signing bonus and/or a hiring bonus during the same workweek in which they worked overtime, specifically between July 22, 2017, and November 7, 2023.
According to the class action lawsuit, Amazon allegedly violated California labor laws by not properly calculating overtime pay. The plaintiffs argue that signing bonuses should have been included in the regular rate of pay, which would have increased their overtime payments for the relevant workweeks.
Amazon, known as a giant in online retail, has an extensive network of warehouses across the country, including multiple locations in California. Despite its size and resources, the company did not admit to any wrongdoing in this case. However, it chose to settle the lawsuit by paying $3 million.
The settlement stipulates that eligible Amazon employees in California will receive a cash payment based on the amount of unpaid overtime wages owed to them. Although exact payments may vary, each class member is expected to receive approximately $565.43.
For those interested in the settlement, several key dates should be noted:
- Deadline for exclusion and objection: June 17, 2024
- Final approval hearing: September 10, 2024
It’s important to note that no claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. All class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive their respective payments.
This $3 million settlement represents a significant victory for Amazon employees in California, ensuring they are properly compensated for their overtime work. As the final approval hearing date approaches, eligible employees should stay informed about any further communications to ensure they receive their due compensation.
