Question about lawsuit on previous employer

[acrosome]

My previous employer is about to be hit with a class action lawsuit regarding breaking some labor laws. Does anybody know if there will be any negative consequences (burning bridges) if I participate in it? There's currently no dollar figure, so no idea how much or how little it will give.

 

[BoomerD]

Hard to say. What industry?

 

[Jeeebus]

you may as well ask a Magic 8-Ball.

Could there be negative consequences (such as being blacklisted as a troublemaker)? Sure... anything is possible.

Could you just be one nameless member of a 5,000 person class? Sure... anything is possible.

 

[Malak]

There will be no negative impact on yourself generally. I had a previous employer hit with a labor lawsuit and I ended up with a couple nice checks in the mail, and my only participation was having been employed; I didn't help the lawsuit at all. If it's a big name employer and you are a big name in the case, then I wouldn't count on them hiring you again. But this shouldn't impact your ability to work anywhere else.

 

[SunnyD]

If you require those bridges unburned, then that should answer your question for you.

Keep in mind a lot of these types of lawsuits require information that really is hard-pressed to provide. I received a claim form for the Walmart class action suit several months back... how the hell am I supposed to remember exact dates and times of occurrences that my managers forced me to work beyond work hours or during my breaks from 13 years ago? Seriously?

 

[sactoking]

There will be no negative impact on yourself generally. I had a previous employer hit with a labor lawsuit and I ended up with a couple nice checks in the mail, and my only participation was having been employed; I didn't help the lawsuit at all. If it's a big name employer and you are a big name in the case, then I wouldn't count on them hiring you again. But this shouldn't impact your ability to work anywhere else.

Agreed. My employer right out of school was sued for violating CA labor law. I was not a member of the lawsuit but benefited just b/c I was employed. There were several people who were due several hundred thousand dollars each that didn't want to claim it b/c they were afraid of retribution/losing their jobs. Not only would that be illegal, but the money was paid to the class and the class distributed it so the employer never knew who actually did or did not make claim.

 

[acrosome]

Thanks for the responses. The company is a telecom provider. I didn't hold any important position, so I don't have a name there. The notice I received only needed me to verify that I worked between such and such date. My old co-workers received it as well. Looks like I'll get in on it.

 

[BoomerD]

Thanks for the responses. The company is a telecom provider. I didn't hold any important position, so I don't have a name there. The notice I received only needed me to verify that I worked between such and such date. My old co-workers received it as well. Looks like I'll get in on it.

Hell yes...who doesn't like "free money?"

 

[Malak]

Agreed. My employer right out of school was sued for violating CA labor law. I was not a member of the lawsuit but benefited just b/c I was employed. There were several people who were due several hundred thousand dollars each that didn't want to claim it b/c they were afraid of retribution/losing their jobs. Not only would that be illegal, but the money was paid to the class and the class distributed it so the employer never knew who actually did or did not make claim.

In my case the money was distributed directly to the individuals, but every employee got a check regardless of participation.