CALIFORNIA – A recent class action lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of Stanislaus County has brought Community Hospice, a well-known palliative care organization in Modesto, into the spotlight.
The class action, led by former employee Tyeisha Travis, seeks to recover allegedly unpaid wages for current and former employees over a 19-month period.
The situation has sparked controversy due to serious allegations of labor violations, including the failure to pay overtime and the denial of mandatory breaks.
According to the lawsuit, Community Hospice, a nonprofit organization, violated California labor laws by failing to pay overtime and other wages owed to its employees.
Additionally, it is alleged that the organization did not provide legally required meal and rest breaks and underpaid workers for sick time.
These violations may have impacted many employees, with estimates suggesting that the unpaid amounts could total $5 million.
The exact scope of the lawsuit does not specify how many workers are seeking compensation, but it covers a significant time period from September 2019 to April 2022.
Among the additional claims, it is asserted that hourly-paid employees were underpaid for their overtime. These were calculated based on a base rate instead of the incentive pay rate that employees had earned through a performance-based bonus program.
Community Hospice, recently recognized as one of the best places to work in the region, responded to the allegations through an official statement. The organization expressed its commitment to the health and safety of its employees, assuring that they diligently work to ensure legal and ethical practices in the workplace.
They also confirmed that they have hired a legal team to address the lawsuit and will remain transparent throughout the legal process. However, Community Hospice will not provide further public details about the case, emphasizing their commitment to the privacy of their current and former employees.
In addition to labor violations, the lawsuit also includes allegations of racial discrimination. Tyeisha Travis, the lead plaintiff, claims that she was subjected to discriminatory comments about her African-American hairstyle and skin color while working at the hospice.
According to the lawsuit, Travis’ complaints to the human resources management were not taken seriously, ultimately leading her to resign on April 13, 2022.
Another significant issue in the lawsuit is the reimbursement of employees for business expenses, which has also been a point of contention in the case. These reimbursements, along with the other allegations, will be discussed at a case management conference scheduled for August.
Despite the legal dispute, Community Hospice has vowed that the situation will not interfere with its mission to provide quality palliative care to patients in the Central Valley. The organization, the largest nonprofit provider of such services in the region, now faces a significant challenge to maintain its reputation and continue its operations as the legal case unfolds.
