A former employee has launched a legal battle against a group of California-based corporations, accusing them of systematically violating state labor laws. Jose Villalobos filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, on November 11, 2024, targeting Bills Newbury, Inc., and its associated entities.
The lawsuit alleges that these companies engaged in a "pattern and practice" of wage and hour violations under the California Labor Code. Villalobos claims that the defendants failed to provide meal and rest periods, reimbursements for business expenses, timely payment of wages, and accurate wage statements. These allegations suggest that the companies were attempting to reduce employment-related costs at the expense of their employees' rights.
Villalobos was employed as a cook from September 2019 until January 2024 at various locations operated by the defendants. He contends that during his tenure, he was consistently denied legally mandated breaks due to understaffing and company policies that prioritized customer orders over employee welfare. The complaint highlights how Villalobos and other aggrieved employees were forced to work through breaks without compensation or additional pay.
In addition to break violations, Villalobos accuses the defendants of failing to reimburse him for necessary business expenses such as cell phone usage and uniform purchases. This lack of reimbursement allegedly allowed the companies to shift operational costs onto their employees unlawfully.
The plaintiff is seeking civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) on behalf of himself and other affected employees. These penalties include compensatory damages for unpaid wages, restitutionary disgorgement for ill-gotten gains by the defendants, meal and rest period compensation, liquidated damages for unpaid minimum wages, punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct, and attorney fees.
The case underscores significant concerns about employer practices in California's restaurant industry. The outcome could have broader implications for labor rights enforcement across similar businesses in the state.
Representing Jose Villalobos are attorneys Harris Emran and Kaitlin Martinez from Emran Law Firm. The case is presided over by Judge C. Roman with Case ID 24CV451459.