Will County lawsuit claims Amazon owes employees for pre-shift, post-shift activities

A proposed class action lawsuit filed in Will County contends that Amazon must compensate employees for time spent going through a controlled entrance to clock in and undergoing security screenings before clocking out. The lawsuit, filed by Devonte Williams on June 12, alleges that hourly, non-exempt workers are required to "badge through a controlled entrance and walk across" the Amazon facility to reach the time clock. The time spent walking to the time clock is not recorded in the company's timekeeping system nor compensated, the lawsuit alleged. After clocking out, employees are required to undergo security screening of themselves and their personal belongings before leaving, which takes from five to 20 minutes and is also not recorded or compensated. The lawsuit argues that these "pre-shift and post-shift" activities constitute hours worked under state law because employees are required by Amazon to be on their premises during that time. The mandatory post-shift security screenings exist to "deter and detect theft" of Amazon's inventory and property. The lawsuit claims that Amazon knowingly received and retained the benefit of the employees' uncompensated time without paying for it.

(Source：Shaw Local Enewspapers)