Washington Mutual Sued for Not Paying Overtime

Three former Washington Mutual mortgage brokers claim that the Seattle-based savings-and-loan failed to pay them for overtime hours worked. According to the story, covered today by Reuters, this practice regularly drove the hourly pay down to below the federally mandated minimum of $5.15 an hour.

The brokers are planning to sue.

The plaintiffs are seeking back pay with interest, attorneys’ fees and an injunction, according to a filed copy of the lawsuit.

Libby Hutchinson, a Washington Mutual spokeswoman, said the thrift had not seen the complaint. She added: “We believe our compensation practices are fair and ethical, and we will vigorously defend our company against the allegations made.”

However, according to Jack Raisner a lawyer with Outten Golden LLP, which represents the plaintiffs, “From what we can tell, it’s a problem throughout the company’s organization. Workers were basically working 60 or 70 hours a week, but they were working on commissions. The law is that if you are working on commissions, you must be offered premium pay for overtime hours worked.”

You can read the entire story at Washington Mutual Sued for Not Paying Overtime.