Allied Universal Lawsuit: Allegations of Wage Theft, Unfair Labor Practices, and Discrimination
Allied Universal Security Services, the largest security company in the United States, has been involved in numerous lawsuits alleging wage theft, unfair labor practices, and discrimination. These lawsuits have resulted in significant settlements and jury verdicts against the company.
Specific Allegations
Some of the specific allegations that have been made against Allied Universal include:
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Failing to pay employees overtime wages. Allied Universal has been accused of denying overtime pay to employees who have worked more than 40 hours per week.
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Requiring employees to work off the clock. Allied Universal has been accused of requiring employees to work without pay, such as attending mandatory training sessions or performing other work-related tasks.
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Misclassifying employees as independent contractors. Allied Universal has been accused of misclassifying its employees as independent contractors, which allows the company to avoid paying them overtime wages and other benefits.
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Engaging in unfair labor practices. Allied Universal has been accused of intimidating and retaliating against employees who have complained about labor violations. The company has also been accused of interfering with employees’ right to unionize.
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Discriminating against employees based on race, gender, and other protected characteristics. Allied Universal has been accused of discriminating against employees in hiring, promotion, pay, and termination.
Impact on Employees
The alleged wage theft, unfair labor practices, and discrimination have had a significant impact on employees. Employees who have been denied overtime pay or other wages have suffered financial hardship. Employees who have been subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or discrimination have experienced emotional distress and other harm.
Legal Action
There have been numerous lawsuits filed against Allied Universal alleging wage theft, unfair labor practices, and discrimination. These lawsuits have resulted in significant settlements and jury verdicts against the company. For example, in 2022, Allied Universal agreed to pay $411,000 in back wages to 1,459 Black applicants after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that the company had engaged in systemic race-based hiring discrimination.
Allied Universal has denied the allegations in many of these lawsuits, but the company has also settled many of the cases out of court. The company has also made changes to its business practices in response to some of the lawsuits.
Recommendations for Employees
If you are an Allied Universal employee, it is important to be aware of your rights and to take steps to protect yourself from the company’s alleged wage theft, unfair labor practices, and discrimination. Here are a few tips:
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Keep detailed records of all of your communications with Allied Universal, including phone calls, letters, and emails.
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If you believe that you have been denied overtime pay or other wages, file a wage claim with your state’s labor department.
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If you believe that you have been subjected to intimidation, retaliation, or discrimination, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
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You should also consider contacting an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
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U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/
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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: https://www.eeoc.gov/
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National Employment Law Project: https://www.nelp.org/