A class action lawsuit has been filed accused Anheuser-Busch of executing a “systemic, company-wide policy of failing to pay its employees for all hours worked and for overtime hours worked at the appropriate overtime rate, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act” and similar Virginia statutes. It says A-B “has maintained a corporate policy of failing to compensate Plaintiffs for all mandatory pre- and/or post-shift work.”
It goes on to say, “Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and during the relevant time period, Defendant required Plaintiffs to arrive to work at approximately twenty (20) minutes prior to the start of their scheduled shifts to perform a litany of unpaid tasks, including traveling to the locker area; putting on and equipping various items of Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”), such as safety shoes, safety gloves, safety glasses, earplugs, etc.; travel to Plaintiffs’ designated work area; and participate in a “carryover” with the previous shift, where the previous shift would give a verbal debrief to the next shift.
“After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and in addition to the
pre-shift work detailed above, Plaintiffs had to perform approximately thirty (30) minutes of unpaid pre-shift work, including waiting in line, either in Plaintiffs’ cars or in an in-person queue, for a required temperature check to screen for illness; go through a “foot bath” to disinfect Plaintiffs’ shoes and feet; disinfect Plaintiffs’ hands by washing them; and disinfect Plaintiffs’ work area and equipment,” the suit alleges.
A-B didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.