Fitapelli & Schaffer has filed a lawsuit against KNOWiNK LLC alleging that the company misclassified Technical Service & Support Specialists as exempt salaried employees and failed to pay them overtime wages. KNOWiNK provides electronic poll book technology and election support services to jurisdictions nationwide, including in New York. According to the complaint, Support Specialists performed primarily non-managerial, technical support and training duties while working extensive hours during election cycles and preparation periods.
The lawsuit alleges that these workers regularly worked well over 40 hours per week, especially during early voting and election periods when shifts could stretch 10 to 16 hours per day for weeks at a time. Despite these long hours, they were paid a fixed salary and did not receive overtime pay. The complaint further claims the company failed to keep accurate records of hours worked and continued assigning additional duties to salaried Support Specialists to reduce labor costs.
In addition to unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law, the lawsuit alleges that workers received wage notices and pay statements that incorrectly classified them as exempt employees and failed to accurately reflect hours worked. These practices may have prevented workers from recognizing wage underpayments and asserting their rights.
Workers who are misclassified as exempt may be denied overtime pay and other protections guaranteed by law. Employees in technical support or similar roles who do not manage staff or exercise independent policy authority are often entitled to overtime compensation when they work more than 40 hours in a week.
Fitapelli & Schaffer continues to investigate wage and hour violations affecting workers across industries. Employees who believe they were misclassified or denied overtime pay may have legal rights. Contact Fitapelli & Schaffer for a free and confidential consultation to learn more.