Pre-Shift Meetings without Extra Pay Leads to Class Action Lawsuit against Harrah’s Entertainment

Anytime a worker is required or volunteers to work any overtime whether it be 5 minutes or an hour, the company they work for are required to give them extra pay for the time they work. Unfortunately, there are many times where companies will find ways around this requirement or simply will not pay their workers for the time. If this happens, anywhere in the country, even here in Tennessee, then you may be able to file a lawsuit in order to receive the pay that you deserve.

In Las Vegas, Harrah’s Entertainment which owns properties such as Planet Hollywood, Paris, Bally’s, Bill’s, Flamingo, O’Sheas, Imperial Palace, Caesars Palace, Rio and Harrah’s, is facing another class action lawsuit filed by Nevada workers. The lawsuit alleges that Harrah’s Entertainment required workers to arrive ten to fifteen minutes before their shifts were supposed to start but did not pay them for this extra time. This may not seem like much, but if it’s added up can amount to thousands of dollars a year and in some cases millions.

The Nevada workers were required to arrive early because of pre-shift meetings which may include pep talks from managers, and reminders about job standards and expectations. Station Casinos is facing an overtime lawsuit that involves this pre shift meeting issue. That case was filed last year in state court, but is being put on hold while the company deals with bankruptcy issues.

The lawsuit against Harrah’s says that “the employee clocked in early to attend daily management meetings where she received instructions from previous shift supervisors.” The Harrah’s spokeswomen, Jacqueline Peterson, said that “we will vigorously defend ourselves against any accusation that alleges we are in violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.”
This case is a little unusual because Daprizio filed the lawsuit while still working for Harrah’s and not while being laid off.

This seems to show that people are not willing to let these wage and overtime violations go, especially not during a recession when every bit of pay counts.

Unfortunately, cases similar to this one happen every day right here in Tennessee. If you or a loved one has been the victim of overtime pay violations or have concerns about your pay, please contact a Tennessee Employment or Overtime Pay Attorney right away. We will hear your case and make sure you get the pay you deserve for the time you work.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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