A California-based flower company is facing a class-action lawsuit for alleged labor violations, potentially affecting hundreds of its employees. The complaint was filed by Paula Gutierrez on May 6, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against FFL Enterprise, Inc., which operates as United Wholesale Flowers.
The lawsuit accuses the defendant of multiple violations of the California Labor Code and Business and Professions Code. Paula Gutierrez, representing herself and other similarly situated non-exempt employees, claims that FFL Enterprise failed to pay all overtime wages due to incorrect calculations of the "regular rate of pay." She further alleges that the company's meal and rest period policies did not allow employees to take compliant breaks or receive premium wages in lieu thereof. The plaintiff also asserts that FFL Enterprise did not provide accurate wage statements as required by law and failed to reimburse necessary business expenses incurred by employees. According to Gutierrez, these practices violate several sections of the California Labor Code, including §§ 201-203 for timely payment upon employment separation and § 226(a) for accurate wage statements.
Gutierrez's employment with FFL Enterprise began on August 20, 2024, and ended on February 27, 2025. During this time, she claims she experienced firsthand the company's failure to comply with labor laws regarding overtime pay and break periods. Her complaint details how non-exempt employees regularly worked shifts exceeding eight hours per day or forty hours per week without receiving proper overtime compensation. Additionally, she contends that the company’s sick leave payments were not calculated at the correct legal rate.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court. These include compensatory damages for unpaid wages and penalties under relevant labor codes; statutory penalties for inaccurate wage statements; waiting time penalties for delayed final wage payments; reimbursement for business expenses; restitution under unfair competition laws; and attorneys' fees and costs. The plaintiff is also requesting certification of her proposed classes—comprising current or former non-exempt hourly employees—and appointment as their representative.
Representing Paula Gutierrez are attorneys Mehrdad Bokhour from Bokhour Law Group P.C., and Joshua S. Falakassa from Falakassa Law P.C., both based in Los Angeles. The case is being overseen by Judge M. Arechiga under Case ID #25CV465287.