Account executives for a national wholesale mortgage lending company have recently settled claims of unpaid wages. The nearly $3 million settlement with United Wholesale Mortgagewill resolve claims of unpaid overtime dating back as far as 2018. Current and former account executives that were employed by United Wholesale Mortgage between October 12, 2018 and December 23, 2021 stand to benefit from the $2.75 million settlement.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2021, alleged that the lender required significant overtime hours but denied its account executives overtime pay as mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Specifically, the lawsuit claimed that the company had policies and practices preventing them from filing for overtime, even though in order to complete their job requirements they had to work over the standard 40 hours per week. Account executives were required to report to work 15 to 20 minutes early and attend morning meetings, or “Dominate at Eight” as they were coined, but were not allowed to clock in until their official start time. If they weren’t working at their desks at least 15 minutes early they were disciplined. Additionally, affected employeeswould clock out for their 1-hour lunch but were required to complete work during that time, which included taking calls if they were eating at their desks or forwarding calls to their personal cellphones if they stepped away from their desks.
Unfortunately, companies often try to drive more workproductivity without committing to the proper compensation for its employees. Your compensable time is very important, sowhenever you work for the benefit of the company, you should be getting paid for it. If you find that this compensable time is adding up without it being reflected in your pay, you may be owed money. Call us, Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP, for a free and confidential consultation at (212)300-0375. You can also visit our website here for additional helpful information regarding your employment rights.