Andrea Cooks has filed a lawsuit against On Lok Community Housing, Inc., and its affiliates, alleging numerous violations of California labor laws. The complaint was submitted on January 14, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Cooks is acting as a private attorney general under the Labor Code Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) to seek civil penalties for alleged labor code violations by On Lok.
The lawsuit accuses On Lok of multiple infractions including failure to pay minimum and overtime wages, not providing legally required meal and rest breaks, inaccurate wage statements, and failing to reimburse employees for business expenses. According to the complaint, these actions violate various sections of the California Labor Code and Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders. Cooks claims that she and other aggrieved employees were subjected to practices such as working off-the-clock without compensation and having their work hours improperly rounded down to benefit the employer.
Cooks's employment with On Lok lasted from June 10, 2024, to July 28, 2024. During this period, she alleges being classified as a non-exempt employee entitled to certain protections under California law which were not honored by her employer. The complaint details how On Lok allegedly failed to pay employees correctly for sick leave and did not include incentive payments in the calculation of overtime rates. Furthermore, it states that employees were often required to perform tasks without proper seating or breaks.
In her filing, Cooks seeks civil penalties as prescribed by PAGA on behalf of herself and other similarly affected employees. She is also requesting attorneys' fees and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court. The case emphasizes systemic issues within On Lok's operations affecting potentially hundreds of current and former employees.
The legal team representing Andrea Cooks includes Norman B. Blumenthal, Kyle R. Nordrehaug, Nicholas J. De Blouw from Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP. The case is being overseen by Judge A. Hernandez under Case No. 25CV456492.