Unpaid Overtime Suit Cannot Be Dismissed by Employer's Subsequent Offer to Pay OT

BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) suit brought by a former KFC assistant manager could not be dismissed, according to U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore, because the KFC Corp. franchisee's offer to pay her unpaid overtime, after her suit was filed, did not provide full relief.

In Klinger v. Phil Mook Enterprises, (September 13, 2011), Judge Whittemore rejected the defendant's attempt to moot an FLSA overtime claim by Stephanie Klinger by tendering "full payment" and claiming that the Court should dismiss the case based upon lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Judge Whittemore characterized Mook's offer of payment as an attempt to deprive Klinger of prevailing party status and all of the relief she sought, including "an enforceable judgment, attorney's fees, and costs." 

Klinger's attorney Gregg Shavitz of Shavitz Law Group, PA, said Judge Whittemore's decision upheld the core provisions of the FLSA. Further, he noted, "Judge Whittemore's ruling reinforces both the express provisions and the intent of the FLSA by ensuring that employers who violate the law are held fully accountable, and that employees can continue to enforce their rights in the courts when necessary."

As an assistant manager in a Florida KFC, Klinger filed suit in July 2011, claiming she was misclassified as exempt from receiving overtime compensation.  She claimed she regularly worked over 40 hours a week. 

In August, Phil Mook Enterprises d/b/a KFC asked the court to dismiss the case after offering to reimburse Klinger for unpaid wages.  The employer's tactic was to not admit fault, pay damages claimed and try to avoid paying attorney's fees.

The Klinger decision differed from the Eleventh Circuit's recent decision in Dionne v. Floormasters Enterprises Inc., (July 28, 2011), finding that in Dionne the plaintiff admitted that his FLSA claim was moot and should be dismissed.  In contrast, in Klinger, in response to the defendant's motion to dismiss based upon the tender of payment, the plaintiff specifically denied that the case was moot.  Further, unlike the plaintiff in Dionne, in Klinger, the plaintiff requested approval of settlement of her FLSA claim, and entry of judgment - two factors absent in Dionne.

Founded in 1999, the Shavitz Law Group, PA, has represented thousands of employees in unpaid overtime and minimum wage claims. For employee rights information, visit www.helpingworkers.com.

SOURCE Shavitz Law Group, PA