Apple settles $30.5 million lawsuit demanding mandatory bag checks for thousands of California store employees
A California judge approved a $30.5 million settlement by Apple after a decade-long court battle after store employees were forced to stay in after hours for mandatory bag checks.
Back in 2013 when the case was first opened, Apple store employees in California had to periodically check their bags after their shift, describe like “shame and condescension” to make sure they didn’t take any valuables. Checks can take up to 45 minutes of staff time.
Two employees sued, arguing that bag checks are compensable under state law. In 2015, the case ended when Apple argued that employees were free to leave their bags at home to avoid inspection.
Case reopened
However, the case was reopened after the plaintiffs appealed and peak in February 2020 when the court rejected Apple’s argument on the grounds that employees were asked by the company to change uniforms or hide the apple logo outside of working hours. This means they have to bring their uniform or carry a change of clothes in their pocket.
Apple has agreed to a $30.5 million settlement for 14,683 hourly employees who were subjected to mandatory baggage checks between July 2009 and December 2014, which has now been approved by Judge William Alsup of the Eastern District Court. North of the United States approved for the Northern District of California. .
“Under the circumstances of this case and the realities of ordinary, 21st-century life, we find Apple’s claim to be far-fetched and inexplicable that its rummage policy can be justified as benefit its employees”, the court speak.
Fortune has reached out to Apple for comment.
This is not the first time employees of major retail brands have received compensation in similar lawsuits.
Last year, Amazon and a staffing agency that paid $8.7 million to 42,000 warehouse workers, according to Reuters.
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