Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP Blog

Wal-Mart Violates Labor Laws, to pay 6.5 million

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was found guilty of violating Minnesota Labor Laws. The suit, filed on behalf of about 56,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club employees, alleged that Wal-Mart managers forced hourly workers to work off-the-clock during training and denied full rest or meal breaks, in order to keep labor costs down. The suit was given class action status in 2003. He also ruled that the company pay current and former employees $6.5 million in compensation for contractual violations. Wal-Mart has been subject to criticism by various groups and individuals. Labor unions fund and lead community groups, grassroots organizations, religious organizations, and environmental groups in protests against Wal-Mart, the company's policies and business practices, and Wal-Mart customers.

Wal-Mart's audits revealed that the company was aware of the problems but "put its head in the sand" and chose to do nothing said Judge Robert R. King Jr. This is just the latest chapter in Wal-Mart's one step forward; two steps back effort to change its public image. Pennsylvania court, also in December 2005, approved a class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. by employees in Pennsylvania who say the company pressured them to work off the clock. The class could grow to include nearly 150,000 current or former employees.Wal-Mart was also found in violation of statutes relating to making and keeping employee time records and failing to let employees have any time for a meal break. While the plaintiffs won't receive compensatory damages for those violations, Wal-Mart is subject to a $1,000 civil penalty for each incident.

When work establishments do not practice these health and safety procedures, they are susceptible to major infringements when these problems occur. Workplace hazards fall into three categories: physical hazards (slips, falls, and dangerous equipment), physical agents (noise, vibration, heat/cold stress), chemical & biological agents (solvents), and psychosocial issues (work related stress, violence). Occupational health and safety issues are most prevalent in blue collar workers; however there has been a rise in white collar worker disputes as well. Labor law is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. With all of these regulations set in place you would think officials have a good grasp on the matter. However, due to substandard equipment, poor safety procedure, and a lack of proper training, detrimental accidents occur in the workplace are leaving employees injured and out of work.

When employees aren’t accustomed to the proper working conditions, problems are sure to arise. When nearly 6 out of 100 workers experience a job related serious injury, there is a need for legal protection. At Napoli Bern Ripka, our attorneys have the resources and the eagerness to litigate labor law cases. Our firm’s experienced attorney’s have the expertise to find out what happened, how it happened, and how it could have been prevented. You may be able to prevent it from happening to someone else. Our clients know they can always rely on us to be there for them.