Facts

Plaintiff Amy Royse Orr was employed by PetVet Care Centers (California), Inc. as a non-exempt hourly veterinary technician. Plaintiff filed a class action lawsuit against defendant for wage and hour labor code violations.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendant failed to pay plaintiff the appropriate minimum, regular and overtime rates. Plaintiff also contended that defendants often require plaintiffs to work during their meal breaks and rest breaks in violation of Labor Code Section 226.7. Plaintiff also contended that defendants failed to reimburse plaintiff for the necessary business expenses such using plaintiff's personal cellular phone during work and mileage usage for using plaintiff's car during work in violation of Labor Code Section 2802. Plaintiff contended that defendants failed to provide accurate itemized wage statements in violation of Labor Code Section 226(a).

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied plaintiff's contentions. The claims involved very small discrepancies in pay, due mostly to errors in paying "meal premiums" when a meal was taken late or missed. Some of PetVet's newly acquired hospitals believed that exceptions applied, and there were disputed issues as to whether employees chose to take meals late or were forced to miss or take late breaks due to work. There was also some inconsistency as to how the various meal waivers were applied.

Result

Defendant agreed to settle the case for $3,800,000.