A federal judge in Oregon approved class-action status for a lawsuit claiming Bend, Ore.-based St. Charles Health System required employees to undergo mandatory training without compensation, according to a Bend Bulletin report.
The class-action status means more than 800 plaintiffs could be eligible to join the case that currently has four plaintiffs, according to the report. The precise number of class members is unknown.
Plaintiffs claim St. Charles violated the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and state labor laws by requiring nurses and respiratory therapists to undergo additional training and certifications outside of their normal work hours and without pay. Plaintiffs are seeking repayment of unpaid wages.
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