Crosner Legal has filed a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court against a manufacturer, asserting both class-wide wage and hour claims and individual wrongful termination claims. The suit alleges a pattern of denying breaks to factory workers and retaliating against employees who take medical leave.
On behalf of the class, the lawsuit alleges the manufacturer failed to provide legally compliant meal and rest periods to its hourly workforce, often requiring them to work through breaks without additional compensation. Individually, the complaint alleges the company wrongfully terminated an employee who took FMLA leave for hand surgery. The suit claims the employee was fired while still on protected leave because the company refused to accommodate temporary light-duty restrictions, in violation of the FMLA and Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD).
Why This Matters: Manufacturing jobs are physically demanding, making rest breaks essential for safety. Furthermore, firing workers for recovering from surgery is a clear violation of state and federal employment laws.