Bellisio Foods: New Lawsuit Filed for Unpaid Overtime Wages

Wage and hour attorneys at Coffman Employment Lawyers have filed a new lawsuit against Bellisio Foods for unpaid overtime wages. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of all of Bellisio Foods’ hourly production/manufacturing employees and alleges that Bellisio Foods violated the federal Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying these employees for all time worked.

Bellisio Foods, Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of frozen meals with several facilities located in Ohio and California.

What is the Unpaid Overtime Wages Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit alleges that Bellisio Foods did not pay its hourly production/manufacturing employees all overtime wages they earned in accordance with the law.

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Bellisio Foods expects its employees to arrive before the scheduled start of their shifts to engage in pre-shift work including putting on facility shoes, changing into sanitary clothing and equipment including shirt, pants, glasses, and hairnet, and washing hands, among other duties. The lawsuit alleges that these activities happen before the scheduled start of these employees’ shifts.

The lawsuit also alleges that Bellisio Foods requires its employees to have a meal break during their shifts, but that the “meal break” was actually shortened because Bellisio Foods’s hourly production/manufacturing employees would have to take off their sanitary clothing and equipment before beginning their meal break, and would have to end their break early in order to put their sanitary clothing and equipment back on and re-wash their hands before returning to the production area.

However, the lawsuit alleges that Bellisio Foods does not pay its hourly production/manufacturing employees for the time at the beginning of the shift putting on sanitary clothing and equipment and washing hands. The lawsuit also alleges that because these employees’ meal breaks were shortened, they should have been paid for that time. If you performed these activities, it is possible that you were not paid all the overtime wages you were entitled to.

If I Am Eligible to Join and Choose to Do So, What Could I Receive?

If you are eligible to join and our attorneys show that you were not paid enough for all overtime work completed for one or more reason(s), the law states that you could receive (1) unpaid overtime for up to the last three years of work; and (2) liquidated damages in an amount equal to the unpaid overtime (aka the potential for double [2x or 200%] damages). Bellisio Foods is required to pay our firm’s attorneys’ fees and costs if the lawsuit is successful.

Can Bellisio Foods Retaliate Against Me for Joining the Case?

No. Federal law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for joining a lawsuit such as this one against Bellisio Foods. If Bellisio Foods were to retaliate, it could be held liable for damages, including reinstatement, back pay, and liquidated damages(double damages). If you are concerned about retaliation or believe you have experienced retaliation, please contact our experienced employment attorneys so we can explain your rights and protections.