A lawsuit filed recently in California alleges that Stater Bros. Markets failed to provide employees with the meal breaks and rest periods required by labor law.

The Case: Wafa Mowannes v. Stater Bros. Markets

The Court: San Bernardino County Superior Court of the State of California

The Case No.: CIVSB2332884

The Plaintiff: Wafa Mowannes v. Stater Bros. Markets

The plaintiff in the case, Wafa Mowannes, filed a class action complaint against Stater Bros. Markets in March 2024 for allegedly failing to provide employees with timely off-duty meal breaks and rest periods. Mowannes filed the class action wage and hour lawsuit in the San Bernardino County Superior Court of California.

The Defendant: Wafa Mowannes v. Stater Bros. Markets

The defendant in the case, Stater Bros. Markets, faces numerous labor law violation allegations. The allegations in the class action lawsuit include:

failing to pay minimum wage
failing to pay overtime wages
failing to provide meal breaks and rest periods
failing to reimburse workers for job-related necessary expenses
failing to provide accurate itemized wage statements
failing to pay wages when they’re due
provide all tips and gratuities

The allegations included in the California wage and hour class action would violate multiple California Labor Codes (§§ 201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 226, 226.7, 510, 512, 558, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802).

Are All California Employees Eligible for Meal and Rest Breaks?

Under state labor laws, most California employees are entitled to meal and rest breaks. These breaks are mandated to ensure workers have enough time for meals and rest during their shifts. However, certain exemptions exist for specific categories of workers, such as those in executive, administrative, or professional roles, who may be exempt from these requirements. In general, California labor laws are designed to protect the well-being and rights of employees. If you are unsure if labor law provides protection for your rights in your current employment, reach out to an experienced labor law attorney to find out.

The Case: Wafa Mowannes v. Stater Bros. Markets

California labor law requires employers to pay employees on an established payday for each pay period and comply with the applicable minimum wage for all hours an employee works during a pay period. According to the lawsuit, Stater Bros. Markets allegedly required workers to complete work before and after their scheduled shifts and to continue completing job duties while on their off-duty meal breaks. The company also allegedly did not provide the required additional compensation for the time employees spent completing “off-the-clock” work or for the missed off-duty meal breaks. As a result, the company failed to pay employees for all hours worked in accordance with minimum wage requirements. The wage and hour class action lawsuit, Wafa Mowannes v. Stater Bros. Markets, is currently pending in the San Bernardino County Superior Court of the State of California.

If you have questions about how to respond to an employer’s labor code violations, please contact Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced California employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.