An oil-field services company, SandRidge Energy Corp. has agreed to pay up to almost $5 million to settle an FLSA lawsuit alleging unpaid overtime and owed wages. Sixteen employees rallied together in a class action lawsuit filed back in July 2013. They believed the company was shortchanging them on their hours worked and ultimately did not pay them for their overtime hours allegedly violating provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Like many other workers in this industry or those employed in factories or warehouses, companies often require employees to be present for procedural meetings, complete safety requirements, or even prep other incoming shifts without considering it compensable time. The FLSA lawsuit against SandRidge Energy Corp. alleged that they did not pay its workers for the time they spent on site in mandatory safety meetings and the time they spent putting on and taking off gear.
Even though SandRidge did not admit to any wrongdoing or improper compensation methods, they decided to settle the case as a class. This means that others who worked for the company in a specific time frame and in a similar position to the group of workers, who bravely filed the case, will be able to benefit from the $4.95 million settlement. In this situation as stated in the settlement, the defendants decided to revise “certain work and compensation policies or practices in an effort to better prevent such claims in the future and to benefit employees”.
If you or anyone you know is dealing with unpaid overtime, working off the clock or owed wages, give the employment lawyers at Fitapelli & Schaffer a call at 212-300-0375 for a free phone consultation or visit our website www.fslawfirm.com. You’ll have the opportunity to speak with one of our experienced attorneys and address your issues and concerns because at F&S we are committed to fighting for the rights of hardworking employees.