In a legal battle that could have significant implications for labor rights in California, a former employee has filed a complaint against a tech company for alleged violations of state labor laws. The complaint was lodged by Hamedullah Hotak on March 13, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Infinera Corporation. Hotak accuses the company of multiple breaches of the California Labor Code under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Hamedullah Hotak's lawsuit alleges that Infinera Corporation failed to properly compensate him and other similarly aggrieved employees during their tenure at the company. According to the complaint, Hotak worked as an Apprentice Technician from April 2024 to October 2024 at Infinera's Sunnyvale facility. He claims that during this period, he and other non-exempt employees were not paid all wages owed for hours worked, including minimum wages and overtime. Furthermore, Hotak asserts that Infinera did not provide legally mandated meal and rest breaks or timely pay all wages due upon termination. The plaintiff argues that these actions constitute violations of various sections of the California Labor Code such as sections 201, 204, 226(a), and others.
The lawsuit outlines several specific grievances: failure to pay minimum and overtime wages due to off-the-clock work requirements; improper rounding practices leading to underpayment; failure to reimburse necessary business expenses; and inadequate wage statements lacking accurate information on hours worked and wages earned. Additionally, it is alleged that Infinera's management did not enforce policies ensuring compliance with meal and rest break regulations.
Hotak seeks civil penalties under PAGA on behalf of himself, other aggrieved employees, and the State of California. The relief sought includes statutory penalties for each violation cited in the complaint, injunctive relief to prevent further violations, and reimbursement for attorneys' fees and costs incurred in pursuing this action.
Representing Hamedullah Hotak are attorneys Jonathan M. Genish, Miriam Schimmel, Joana Fang, and Jared C. Osborne from Blackstone Law APC based in Beverly Hills. The case is presided over by Judge M. Bui under Case No. 22CY461083.