Claims representatives who used to work at Farmers Insurance Exchange have filed a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging they were not paid for work they had to perform each day before beginning their scheduled shifts.

The plaintiffs in the case claim that Farmers violated wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act by requiring them to do the following every day prior to clocking in:

  • Log into the company’s website to get their assignments.
  • Find the locations they would need to visit.
  • Contact the body shops to confirm the vehicles in question were present.
  • Contact customers, download damage estimate forms, and travel to their first location.

U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Leeson of Pennsylvania granted conditional class certification, finding the plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence that they were all similarly situated. To support his decision, the judge noted that claims representatives from three states attested that they and others:

  • Were subject to the same wage-and-hour procedures.
  • Used the same timekeeping and payroll systems.
  • Performed the same pre-shift work, for which they were allegedly not paid.

Sommers Schwartz’s wage and hour attorneys are knowledgeable in all aspects of the FLSA, including collective claims. If you worked for Farmers Insurance and suspect that you are owed overtime pay for pre-shift or post-shift work, please contact us to learn how we can help.