Apple Set to Battle Class Action Lawsuit Over Labor Code Violations Starting Tomorrow

A class action lawsuit filed by four former Apple retail employees over alleged California Labor Code violations commences tomorrow in San Diego Superior Court.

apple_retail_employees
A civil jury trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. local time in a courtroom presided over by the Honorable Eddie C. Sturgeon, nearly two years after Apple's appeal and motion for dismissal was denied in the case. The lawsuit, titled Felczer vs. Apple Inc., falls under the court's Department 67.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2011 and elevated to class action status in 2014, accuses Apple of failing to provide timely meal and rest breaks, failing to pay all wages due upon ending employment within the required time, and failing to provide accurate wage statements, according to court documents filed electronically.

The proposed class would involve all current, former, or prospective employees in California who have worked for Apple between December 16, 2007 and the time of trial, which totaled approximately 18,000 employees as of 2014. Any settlement awarded would be divided evenly between class members.

California Labor Code dictates that employees must be provided with at least a 30-minute meal break when the work period is more than five hours, and at least a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked. The defendants claim Apple failed to always provide these breaks for at least four years prior to the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, the complaint notes Apple took several weeks to send out a final paycheck to multiple employees. As a result of these unlawful business practices, the lawsuit asks for compensatory damages and repayment of all wages owed, along with interest and legal fees, but it does not specify a damages amount.

Popular Stories

2007 iPhone

Apple Discontinuing This 18-Year-Old iPhone Feature

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:51 pm PST by
The end of an 18-year era is on the horizon for the iPhone. Apple reportedly plans to announce a new iPhone SE as soon as next week, and the device is expected to feature a full-screen design with Face ID, instead of a Touch ID home button. That means Apple will no longer sell any new iPhone models with a home button, for the first time since the original iPhone launched. The home button...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
imac video apple feature

Apple to Announce New Products Next Week

Saturday February 8, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple has yet to release any new devices in 2025, but at least two new products are expected to be announced next week, according to rumors. Below, we outline the new Apple products that are likely to be unveiled next week. iPhone SE 4 Apple plans to announce the long-rumored iPhone SE 4 as soon as next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new iPhone SE is rumored to...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
oppo find n5 fingers

World's Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches Next Week

Monday February 10, 2025 3:05 am PST by
Oppo has confirmed a February 20 global launch for its Find N5, which the company claims is the world's thinnest device in the foldable phone category. The phone is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 in the US. The Chinese vendor has been teasing the device in the last few weeks, touting its waterproofing and nearly invisible display crease, and highlighting its thinness by compa...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple

Apple Increases Mac Trade-In Values for a Limited Time

Sunday February 9, 2025 3:53 pm PST by
Apple today increased its estimated trade-in values for select Mac models in the United States, with the full changes outlined below. Apple says the extra trade-in credit for select Macs is available with the purchase of an eligible new Apple device through April 2. The trade-in values increased by between $10 and $50. Model New Value Old Value MacBook Pro Up to $925 ...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
maxresdefault

iPhone SE 4 Launch is Imminent - What to Expect

Friday February 7, 2025 2:42 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation low-cost iPhone is almost here, with rumors suggesting we're going to see it introduced as soon as next Tuesday. With a release happening in the very near future, we thought we'd highlight everything we know about Apple's newest iPhone. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Design The iPhone SE 4 will look like the iPhone 14, featuring a 6.1-inch ...

Top Rated Comments

gavroche Avatar
109 months ago
I had expected better from Apple.
So i presume you have already tried and found them guilty?
Having been sued does not mean you are guilty (yet). I had a friend that owned a business that was brought before the labor board multiple times by disgruntled employees. Not only did he win every time after he presented his evidence, but the judge on one occasion told an employee that was saying they were not paid overtime correctly that they were in fact OVERPAID..
Lets not rush to judgement until all facts are presented.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
britboyj Avatar
109 months ago
I worked for Apple retail for 3 years and corporate for 2, from 2008 to 2013. Breaks were mandated HARD. Like, you got written up if you didn't take them. 30 minutes if you went over 5 hours, a 15 if you were under.

I wouldn't be surprised if the violations here are rogue managers.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mi7chy Avatar
109 months ago
Bunch of apologists. Every worker deserves their legally allowed lunch and break time including slaborers in China. With all the cash Apple has hidden away they can afford this.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
109 months ago
Nice. People finding Apple guilty before the trial even begins. Shocker...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aitachi Avatar
109 months ago
Former Apple retail employee here. I did two stints with Apple at two different stores in two different cities in two different positions. My experience was the exact opposite of what this suits claim. Managers and Store Leaders not only required us to take our breaks on time they practically hounded us to do so, going so far as to sub employees out with someone else if they were in deep helping a customers and needed to take a break. I'm not saying this suit doesn't have merit; I have no doubt some stores and managers did not follow the law. However, to put this on the level of institutional malfeasance? I don't think so.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
62tele Avatar
109 months ago
I side with Apple. This is one of the reason why US companies move factories to China.
No it's not. Employees deserve to be treated fairly and have a break. You think our citizens deserve to work in such conditions like the sweat shops in China? If so, this would be an example of US workers not being respected or valued. By your logic I suppose it's perfectly fine that top executives now earn, on average 200 to 300 times the average worker. For reference the ratio has gone up from 120-to-1 in 2000, 42-to-1 in 1980 and 20-to-1 in 1950.

Count me on the employee's side.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)