Facebook employees of the social media giant recently reached a $1.65 million settlement to resolve claims of unpaid overtime. More than 60 employees that were employed by Facebook as client solution managers (“CSMs”) between December 2, 2015 and June 12, 2020 stand to benefit from this settlement if the judge approves of the agreement. Each affected worker will receive a net average $15,000 after fees and costs.
The original putative class and collective action lawsuit, which was filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (“IMWL”), alleged that all similarly situated facebook employees such as CSMs, customer solutions and account managers, employed by Facebook were misclassified as exempt from overtime requirements and deprived of overtime wages in violation of federal and state laws. CSMs claimed that their duties were not administrative in nature and should have been eligible to receive overtime pay when working over 40 hours in a work week. Instead, these facebook employees alleged they were misclassified so the company could save on labor costs.
Unfortunately, being misclassified as a salaried worker exempt from overtime is too common and seen throughout many industries. Employers often use this misclass tactic in order to cut costs and avoid paying overtime. If you find yourself working long hours without overtime compensation, it may be helpful to quickly consult with an employment lawyer to see if you are eligible for overtime pay. Here at Fitapelli & Schaffer LLP, you can quickly schedule a phone consult free of charge to see if you may have a claim. Call us now at (212) 300-0375 or visit our website for helpful information regarding your rights