In a dramatic legal confrontation, a former employee has filed a class action lawsuit against one of the world's leading technology companies, alleging extensive labor law violations. Lorena Sanchez Gil lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California for Santa Clara County on February 12, 2025, targeting Intel Corporation. The lawsuit accuses Intel of systematically underpaying its hourly and non-exempt employees in California by failing to compensate them for all hours worked, including overtime and minimum wages.
The case paints a troubling picture of alleged corporate malpractice. Lorena Sanchez Gil claims that Intel failed to provide legally mandated meal and rest breaks, neglected to issue accurate wage statements, and did not reimburse necessary business expenses. "Defendants had the financial ability to pay such compensation but willfully, knowingly, and intentionally failed to do so," the complaint states. These allegations span from four years prior to the filing date through to final judgment, affecting all similarly situated employees within that timeframe.
The plaintiff asserts that these actions violate multiple sections of the California Labor Code and Business & Professions Code. Specific accusations include breaches of sections related to unpaid overtime (Cal. Labor Code §§ 510 and 1198), minimum wage violations (Cal. Labor Code §§ 1194, 1197), and failure to provide proper meal and rest breaks (Cal. Labor Code §§ 226.7). The complaint further alleges untimely payment of wages during employment and upon termination (Cal. Labor Code §§ 204, 201-203), inaccurate wage statements (Cal. Labor Code § 226(a)), and failure to reimburse business expenses (Cal. Labor Code §§ 2800-2802).
Sanchez Gil's tenure at Intel as a Manufacturing Associate/Senior Technician from approximately 2005 until September 2024 forms the basis of her claims. She argues that she was often required to work off-the-clock without compensation and was denied proper breaks due to workload demands—practices she contends were part of a broader pattern affecting numerous employees.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court: certification as a class action; appointment of Sanchez Gil as class representative; recovery of unpaid wages; statutory penalties; pre-judgment interest; liquidated damages; attorney's fees; costs; injunctive relief ensuring compliance with labor laws; restitution for unfair business practices under Cal. Business & Professions Code §17200 et seq.; and appointment of a receiver to manage any funds disgorged from Intel.
Representing Lorena Sanchez Gil are attorneys Jonathan M. Genish, Barbara DuVan-Clarke, Danielle L. GruppChang, P.J. Van Ert, and Annabel F. Blanchard from Blackstone Law APC based in Beverly Hills, California. The case is identified as Case No.: 25CV458895 in the Superior Court for Santa Clara County.