California Employer Sued for California Labor Law Violations

Napa, CA A class-action lawsuit filed earlier this year alleges that a well-known corporation denied its employees in California of basic employment rights under California labor law. Johnson Controls Inc. was served in March for allegations ranging from the failure to pay proper wages (including overtime), to the failure to provide proper meal breaks.

The complaint was filed in Superior Court of California, County of Napa.

According to court records, lead plaintiff Michael Evans worked for Johnson Controls in California. The plaintiff alleges that the Wisconsin-based corporation variously allowed him to work in excess of eight hours per day and/or 40 hours per week, and more than seven days straight without overtime pay - an allegation of conduct that flies in the face of the California labor code.

The plaintiff alleges that he also, on occasion, worked in excess of 12 hours in one day without being compensated according to an elevated overtime formula normally expected for toiling that many hours - specifically, two times his normal rate of pay.

Meal breaks were also an issue, according to Evans. He claims to have worked in excess of five hours in a day without provision for a proper meal break. The plaintiff also alleges that the defendant failed to compensate him for those missed meal periods in accordance with California labor employment law.

His class-action complaint also alleges the employer failed to maintain and complete accurate time and pay records, and allowed the plaintiff to pay business expenses during the regular course of his duties, but was not reimbursed.

When his employment was terminated, Evans alleges that he was not paid all wages owed to him at he time of his termination, nor was he paid wages owed for unused vested vacation according to the vacation policy of Johnson Controls Inc.

The defendant's alleged conduct is in violation of California state labor laws. Evans is suing for damages and his various legal costs.