Sanford Heisler Kimpel Files Class Action Against Google, Inc.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It takes Google 0.44 seconds to return 28 million results about the California Labor Code. The company that developed and operates the giant search engine might benefit from actually reading those search results.

Today, a former Google recruiter filed suit against the company for classwide wage and hour violations, asserting it illegally and deliberately cheated her and other employees of their hard-earned wages.

Former Google contract employee Tymuoi Ha filed the complaint this morning in Santa Clara Superior Court against Google, Inc. and Urpan Technologies (UrpanTech), one of the many staffing agencies through which Google acquires temporary and contract workers.  The complaint alleges that Defendants violated the California Labor Code by denying employees compensation for all overtime worked, failing to pay owed wages upon separation from employment and not furnishing accurate wage statements. 

Ha is represented in the matter by David Sanford, Michael D. Palmer, Felicia Medina, Xinying Valerian and Yonina Alexander of Sanford Heisler Kimpel, LLP, and Dayna Chmelka of Gates O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy LLP.

"Google's market capitalization is about half a trillion dollars. Our goal in bringing this suit it to ensure that the second highest valued company in the world pays its workers in accordance with the law of the land," said David Sanford, Chairman of Sanford Heisler Kimpel.

Google has faced similar allegations in the past, including in McPherson v. Google, et al., a high profile wage & hour action filed in New York federal court by a contract site manager. McPherson asserted that Google limited the maximum hours he could report and refused to pay him when his work required him to work in excess of the capped amount. The parties reached a private settlement on undisclosed terms in 2015.

"Working with staffing agencies like UrpanTech, Google hires recruiters on a contract basis and refuses to pay them for their many of hours of tireless work," said Michael Palmer, Sanford Heisler partner and lead counsel for Ms. Ha. "The companies restrict the number of hours recruiters can report, knowing that they must work overtime to meet performance goals. In return for the unpaid labor, the companies dangle the possibility of permanent employment. That is hardly fair and just compensation."

Plaintiff Ha seeks to recover damages, including unpaid wages, on behalf of herself and a California class of Google contract recruiters.  

About Sanford Heisler Kimpel, LLP

Sanford Heisler Kimpel, LLP is a public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.  Our attorneys have graduated from the nation's top law schools, clerked for judges throughout the United States, and amassed extensive experience litigating cases that have earned over one billion dollars for our clients.

The Firm specializes in civil rights and general public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with employment discrimination, labor and wage violations, predatory lending, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and other claims. Along with a focus on class actions, the firm also represents individuals and has achieved particular success in the representation of executives in employment disputes. For more information go to http://www.sanfordheisler.com/ or call 202 499-5200 or email [email protected].  For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @sanfordheisler

For more information, contact Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201-493-1027, [email protected]

SOURCE Sanford Heisler Kimpel, LLP

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