A former employee has launched a class-action lawsuit against a California-based corporation, alleging multiple violations of labor laws. The complaint was filed by Jeovaughn Bautista on November 14, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, targeting Local Kitchens California, LLC.
Jeovaughn Bautista accuses Local Kitchens California, LLC of numerous infractions related to the California Labor Code and unfair business practices. The lawsuit outlines that the company failed to pay for all hours worked—encompassing minimum wage, straight time, and overtime wages. Additionally, it is alleged that employees were not provided with proper meal periods or authorized rest breaks as required by law. Furthermore, the complaint highlights failures in providing accurate wage statements and timely final wages upon termination. Bautista also claims that the company did not indemnify employees for work-related expenses nor produce requested employment records in a timely manner.
The plaintiff argues that these violations were willful and deliberate acts by Local Kitchens California, LLC. Bautista's allegations suggest that during his employment from July 2022 to October 14, 2023, he experienced repeated scheduling beyond standard working hours without appropriate compensation. The lawsuit seeks class certification to include other current and former hourly-paid or non-exempt employees who have been similarly affected within the statutory period.
Bautista is seeking several forms of relief from the court: unpaid wages including overtime and premium pay for missed meal and rest periods; penalties for inaccurate wage statements; reimbursement for incurred expenses; statutory penalties for failure to provide employment records; restitution under California Business & Professions Code sections 17200 et seq.; injunctive relief to prevent future violations; and attorneys' fees along with costs of suit.
Representing Bautista are attorneys Thiago M. Coelho, Lauren Lendzion, Jesenia A. Martinez, Patrick O’Connor, Jesse S. Chen, and N. Nima Shamtoub from Wilshire Law Firm PLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 24CV451770 in front of Judge M. Arechiga at the Superior Court of CA in Santa Clara County.