Siebel Systems Inc. has agreed to shell out up to $27.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit charging that the company violated the California Labor Code and Wage Orders by classifying software engineers as exempt from overtime and failing to pay for overtime hours worked. The suit also alleged that the company illegally prohibited workers from discussing their compensation with co-workers and failed to provide accurate wage statements. The settlement covers about 800 employees with the job titles “software engineer” or “senior software engineer” who worked in Siebel’s California offices, including in Emeryville and San Mateo, between 2000 and 2005. Class members will receive average payments of $27,000.
Paying Overtime: 10 Key Exemption Concepts
Only one thing really matters in the determination as to whether or not an employee is exempt: The duties the employee performs. Learn how to avoid costly, preventable mistakes with our free White Paper, Paying Overtime: 10 Key Exemption Concepts.
Additional Resources:
Who’s Entitled to Overtime: How to Avoid Mistakes When Classifying California Employees, an exclusive Employer Guide from the California Employer Advisor