California workers might find it difficult to imagine having to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for an extended period. However, a lawsuit was recently filed in another state in which a worker claims his remuneration was below the minimum wage level. He alleges his employee rights were violated during his employment as an oil field gate guard.
The plaintiff alleges he spent 18 months working 24-hour shifts sitting in his private vehicle near the gates to an oil field. His duties included being available for anybody who wanted to leave or enter the oil field. He claims traffic continued throughout every day and night, and short bouts of dozing off between been being summoned by a buzzer were the only sleep he got.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff received the $7.25 minimum wage for every week’s first 40 hours along with another 35 hours per week at a rate of $10.88. However, this covered only 75 hours per week while he was effectively on duty for 168 hours every week because he had no help who could take over while he slept. Dividing his weekly wage by the hours he worked shows that he received no more than $4.99 per hour.
The plaintiff in this case claims numerous other employees of the security company that employed him were similarly situated. Any California worker whose remuneration package constitutes a violation of employee rights can consult with an experienced employment law attorney who can assess the viability of a lawsuit. If there are grounds for such a claim, a lawyer can provide the necessary support and guidance to secure fair compensation.
Source: Houston Chronicle, “Former oil field gate guard sues for back pay”, L.M. Sixel, Sept. 26, 2017
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