Neil Jones Food Company CA Labor Law $6M Settlement

If you were employed by The Neil Jones Food Company as a non-exempt, hourly-paid employee in California between April 16, 2017, and February 29, 2024, you may be eligible to claim an award from a class action settlement.

The Neil Jones Food Company has agreed to pay $6,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged wage and hour violations, including unpaid wages, meal and rest period premiums, and other related claims.

Who Can Claim an Award?

To be eligible for an award, you must have been employed by The Neil Jones Food Company, either directly or through any subsidiary, staffing agency, or professional employer organization, as a non-exempt, hourly-paid employee during the period from April 16, 2017, through February 29, 2024, in the State of California. This group of employees is referred to as Class Members.

Additionally, if you were employed during the period from April 20, 2020, through February 29, 2024, you may also be eligible for penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). This group is referred to as Aggrieved Employees.

• Class Members: Non-exempt, hourly-paid employees from April 16, 2017, to February 29, 2024.
• Aggrieved Employees: Non-exempt, hourly-paid employees from April 20, 2020, to February 29, 2024.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Class Members can claim Individual Settlement Payments, and Aggrieved Employees can claim Individual PAGA Payments. The estimated amounts are based on the number of workweeks you worked during the relevant periods.

The Individual Settlement Payment is calculated by dividing the number of workweeks you worked by the total workweeks worked by all Participating Class Members, then multiplying by the Net Settlement Amount. For example, if you worked 50 workweeks and the total workweeks are 10,000, your share would be (50/10,000) \* Net Settlement Amount.

The Individual PAGA Payment is calculated similarly, but it uses the total PAGA workweeks and the $30,000 allocated to PAGA penalties.

• Individual Settlement Payment: Based on your workweeks during the Class Period.
• Individual PAGA Payment: Based on your workweeks during the PAGA Period.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Not applicable. The Settlement Administrator already has the necessary information to determine your eligibility and calculate your award.

How to Claim Your Award

You do not need to take any action to claim your award. The Settlement Administrator will automatically send your payment via first-class mail to the address on file. If you need to update your address, contact the Settlement Administrator as soon as possible.

How do I Get Paid?

The Settlement Administrator will send a single check combining your Individual Settlement Payment and Individual PAGA Payment, if applicable, to the address on file. Ensure your address is up to date to receive your payment promptly.

Settlement Fund Breakdown

The total settlement amount is $6,000,000, which will be used to pay various costs and awards:

• Class Counsel's attorneys' fees: Up to $2,000,000
• Class Counsel's litigation costs: Up to $35,000
• Service Awards for Plaintiffs: Up to $10,000 each, totaling $30,000
• Settlement Administration Costs: Up to $21,950
• PAGA penalties: $120,000, with $90,000 to the LWDA and $30,000 to Aggrieved Employees
• Net Settlement Amount: The remaining amount distributed to Participating Class Members

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: August 12, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: November 14, 2024

When will Awards be Paid?

Awards will be paid within 65 days after the Final Approval Date, provided there are no appeals.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The Neil Jones Food Company has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging various wage and hour violations, including unpaid wages, meal and rest period premiums, and other related claims. The settlement is a compromise and does not imply any admission of wrongdoing by the company.

What Happens Next?

The court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on November 14, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, the Settlement Administrator will distribute the awards to eligible Class Members and Aggrieved Employees.