Company could forfeit millions in settlements
A federal judge in Las Vegas has ruled that a class-action suit may be filed against Boyd Gaming Corp. The named plaintiffs in the case, including six current and former Boyd employees, say the company coerced them into working overtime without overtime pay, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Also according to the lawsuit, Boyd has a history of intentionally rounding down the working hours of employees to the lower quarter hour, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“Boyd’s practice exclusively benefits and enriches Boyd to its employees’ detriment by resulting in the potential loss of tens (and possibly hundreds) of millions of dollars from its employees’ wages,” the complaint alleges.
The lawsuit also claims Boyd has required employees at Boyd’s 22 wholly-owned properties to work off the clock. That includes casinos in eight states, including Nevada.
U.S. District Judge James Mahan issued an order last month granting preliminary approval for class-act status. He cited evidence that supports the plaintiffs’ contention that Boyd “deprives hourly, non-exempt employees of wages for time worked.”
In its report on the matter, Union Gaming wrote, “The potential number of class members nationwide may be as high as 15,000 to 25,000.” In a “worst-case scenario” for the company, based on an average settlement per class member of approximately $4,500, Boyd could lose from $68 million to $114 million. “We believe these represent high-end estimates, which are less-than-likely to come into fruition at these levels,” Union Gaming wrote. “The overall risk is manageable.”
