A lawsuit has been filed against a luxury department store chain, accusing it of systematically violating California's wage and hour laws. The complaint was submitted by Aida Cukic on January 28, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, targeting The Neiman Marcus Group LLC.
Aida Cukic, acting as a representative for the State of California and fellow aggrieved employees, claims that The Neiman Marcus Group engaged in practices that violated several provisions of the California Labor Code. According to the complaint, these violations include failing to provide compliant meal and rest periods, not paying minimum and overtime wages properly, and not maintaining accurate employment records. Cukic alleges that these actions were part of a broader strategy by Neiman Marcus to reduce employment-related costs at the expense of employee rights.
The complaint highlights specific grievances such as employees being required to work off-the-clock during meal breaks due to understaffing and demanding work schedules. It also points out that employees were often interrupted during their breaks with work assignments or required to remain on duty with communication devices. Furthermore, Cukic accuses Neiman Marcus of failing to reimburse employees for business expenses incurred while performing their duties, such as using personal cell phones for work-related communications.
Cukic is seeking civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) for these alleged violations. The PAGA allows aggrieved employees to file lawsuits on behalf of themselves and other affected workers to recover civil penalties for labor code violations. The lawsuit aims to hold Neiman Marcus accountable for its alleged systematic pattern of wage theft and seeks penalties permitted under various sections of the California Labor Code.
Representing Aida Cukic is attorney Nicole Barvie from Barvie Law APC. The case is being overseen by Judge P. Hernandez under Case No. 25CV457630 in the Superior Court of California.