Facts

In 2013, plaintiff Kellie Hopstein worked as a software tester for defendant HP, Inc. She later moved to a different position as a business analyst. Initially, plaintiff was classified as an exempt employee, worked about 50 hours per week and occasionally worked during her meal and rest breaks. However, plaintiff did not have managerial duties and had no authority to hire or fire employees. In 2016, plaintiff was reclassified from an exempt employee to a non-exempt hourly employee. Plaintiff filed a class action lawsuit against defendant on behalf of other similarly situated individuals claiming that defendant misclassified plaintiff as an exempt employee and thus failed to pay meal breaks and rest breaks, failed to properly compensate for overtime pay and failed to provide accurate wage statements.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendant violated California wage and hour laws for misclassifying plaintiff as an exempt employee instead of an hourly non-exempt employee. Plaintiff contended that defendant failed to properly compensate plaintiff for meal and rest breaks, overtime pay and failed to provide accurate wage statements.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied plaintiff's contentions.

Result

The case settled for $587,000, including $195,833.33 in attorney's fees, $20,000 in costs, $40,000 for PAGA, $3,500 in administration costs and $7,500 to the class representative.