Staples Faces Wage and Hour Violations in Class Action Suit

A new wage and hour class action lawsuit accuses Staples of violating California labor laws by forcing employees to work off-the-clock, skip legally mandated breaks, and perform tasks without pay. The complaint, recently moved to federal court in California, follows similar claims filed by Staples employees in the past year.

The plaintiff, a former Staples employee, alleges that the company failed to pay minimum wages and overtime, and required workers to clock out before completing tasks. According to the lawsuit, employees had to assist customers, undergo bag checks after clocking out, and wait for timeclocks to become available—all without compensation. Workers also were allegedly asked to work through breaks, or shorten their meal and rest breaks by continuing to work.

The complaint further explains that Staples required workers to perform unpaid tasks prior to clocking in, such as helping customers or completing goal cards. These tasks reportedly took an average of 5 to 12 minutes, while the previously mentioned post clock-out tasks could last 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, employees were allegedly required to answer questions outside their shifts, which could take up to 45 minutes, without reimbursement.

Plaintiff also accuses Staples of failing to reimburse workers for necessary expenses, including uniform maintenance and personal cell phone use for work-related tasks. Employees reportedly had to purchase supplies out-of-pocket and were not compensated for these expenses. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims Staples did not provide seats for workers, forcing them to stand for long periods unnecessarily.

If you’ve experienced similar workplace issues, such as unpaid wages, denied breaks, or uncompensated work-related expenses, you may have a case. Contact our law firm, Fitapelli & Schaffer, for a free and confidential case review to explore your legal options and protect your rights.