FORT MYERS – A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against a Fort Myers retail business claiming she was terminated in retaliation for complaining about the employer's allegedly unlawful wage practices.
Sarah Barendse filed a complaint on behalf of all others similarly situated on July 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division against House of Wu LLC alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was a graphic designer for the defendant in June and July and worked for more than 40 hours per week without being paid overtime premiums. The plaintiff holds House of Wu LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly required employees to work 18 hours of overtime each week without being compensated at a rate of time-and-one-half, and claims she was terminated for voicing her concerns about this policy.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant for retaliation; compensation for lost wages, benefits and remuneration; compensatory damages, emotional distress; and any other relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Donna V. Smith of Wenzel Fenton Cabassa PA in Tampa.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division Case number 2:16-cv-00590-UA-MRM