Wal-Mart Accused of Stealing Time From Loss Prevention Agents
Class Action Lawsuit for Back Pay Filed by Texas Associates

Wal-Mart Loss Prevention agents have a clear mission, to prevent losses. But a lawsuit filed recently in federal court for the Eastern District Court of Texas charges Wal-Mart with stealing time and money from the very workers assigned to root out theft.

Loss Prevention associates in Tyler, Texas, are fighting back with a class-action lawsuit claiming the retail giant has a "pattern and practice" of failing to pay Loss Prevention associates for all of the time Wal-Mart requires them to work. Federal law requires employers to pay workers time and a half for all hours above 40 worked in a week.

The plaintiffs, Michael Michell and Robert Weaver, claim Wal-Mart fails to maintain records of all hours worked by Loss Prevention associates, much less compensate them for the extra hours. The ironic twist to their case is that, among their duties, Loss Prevention workers are charged with enforcing the company's policy prohibiting off-the-clock work.

Some of the unpaid overtime worked by the two plaintiffs was spent installing surveillance equipment at management's direction to monitor the employees' union activities. These workers are also responsible for preventing theft and overall store security.

If the suit is successful, Wal-Mart could be forced to pay workers back wages for all unpaid overtime for the past three years and the court could double that award as liquidated damages.

Thousands of current and former Wal-Mart Loss Prevention associates could be eligible to join the lawsuit, and can inquire by press@ufcw.com