Lawyer takes a stand against unpaid overtime
William Henig recently filed a complaint against California law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, alleging that the organization contracted a number of attorneys to perform document review. Henig claims that while the Quinn Emanuel didn't mind reaping the benefits of having extra eyes to go through papers for an upcoming court case, the employer wasn't so willing to shell out extra money for contractors who put in extra time and attendance.
A representative from New York employee rights lawyers Joseph & Kirschenbaum explains that most firms bill approximately $250 to $300 per hour for contract workers' time, but they might only pay the individuals around $30 per hour for their employee attendance, as reported by American Lawyer.
Adhering to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires companies pay nonexempt employees time-and-a-half for their extra work hours, the firm would have only had to pay $45 per hour for time over 40 hours per week , the source adds.
Henig alleges he worked around 57 to 60 hours each week without receiving any premium compensation. Based on the fact that Henig possessed an advanced degree and was performing work in the same vein as his studies, it might seem as if he should qualify for an exemption from the FLSA. If this were the case, Henig may not qualify for overtime pay rates.
However, as a lawyer, Henig knows how to make a compelling case. He asserts that because the work was very repetitive and menial that it did not require him to exert advanced knowledge, which is necessary for the exemption status to stick, the media outlet adds.
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