In April 2013, Sommers Schwartz initiated a lawsuit against Sykes Enterprises, Inc. and Alpine Access, Inc. on behalf of current and former hourly call center employees who alleged the company failed to pay them overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and various state laws. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.
As alleged in the Complaint, the companies failed to pay its hourly employees for daily pre-shift time spent booting up and logging into the company’s computer systems.
On October 3, 2013, the Court granted nationwide conditional certification for all current and former hourly Customer Service Associates of Sykes and Alpine Access. As a result, approximately 51,000 current and former Sykes and Alpine Access employees will receive notice of the lawsuit and will be given an opportunity to join as a plaintiff in the class.
In addition to conditionally certifying this class of employees, the Court also granted Sommers Schwartz attorneys’ request to provide notice to the class members in a purely electronic format – an innovative and groundbreaking method of facilitating notice in FLSA cases.
The Court appointed Jason J. Thompson of Sommers Schwartz, P.C., as co-interim class counsel.
The case against Sykes and Alpine Access is another example of our firm’s commitment to pursuing and protecting the rights of workers across the country. If you believe your employer has failed to compensate you for your work, please contact us today to discuss your situation and to learn how we can help.
Kevin J. Stoops
Kevin Stoops is an experienced trial attorney who appears frequently in Michigan state courts and federal courts across the United States, representing clients in complex business litigation. He has vast experience and a track record of successful outcomes high-dollar matters involving trade secret, business tort, intellectual property, executive employment, and class action claims.
