Steve Lebau was recently quoted in The Baltimore Business Journal regarding the recent explosion of lawsuits filed by restaurant waiters and waitresses for owed wages and overtime, often as a result of employers not following the tip credit rule. Weeks before, we previously blogged about this recent trend. In part, the article reads:
Some attribute the rise in lawsuits to employers trying to cut corners when it comes to the pay employees are entitled to, and to workers who are more willing to fight for their rights, said Stephen Lebau, a Towson attorney. “I think a lot has to do with the economy, and employers trying to save money where they can,” said Lebau, who represents workers in employment cases. Lebau’s firm, Lebau & Neuworth LLC, is handling more wage-and-hour cases involving multiple employees. The firm handled between 10 and 15 collective action cases last year. That is double or triple the number from two or three years ago. Collective action cases are similar to class action lawsuits in other types of civil cases in that affected workers can join a consolidated lawsuit without having to file a separate suit on their own.
As attorneys for employees, we anticipate that the number of wage lawsuits against restaurants for short-changing their workers will continue. We intend to pursue our clients’ cases vigorously to get them the wages they are due. Also, under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, double damages and attorney fees frequently awarded.
