A new class action lawsuit accuses logistics giant DHL of shorting its workers pay by not compensating them for all the time they work, including time spent going through mandatory security screenings.
Gregory Cook, on behalf of himself and others, filed a new class action lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on June 21 accusing EXEL, Inc., which does business as DHL Supply Chain (USA) of allegedly violating Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL), and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) Illinois, claiming the logistics giant purportedly shorted its employees wages.
According to the complaint, Cook said he was employed at the company's Joliet distribution warehouse from March 2020-July 2021.
In the complaint, Cook said that at the beginning and end of the workday, DHL required him and hundreds of other employees to go through mandatory security screening. The time spent going through the security check allegedly included time that workers had to wait while other employees were also lined up for screening. Allegedly, DHL did not pay it workers, including Cook, for those hours spent in line.
Under the IMWL, "hours worked" includes "all the time an employee is required to be on duty, or on the employer's premises, or at other prescribed places of work, and any additional time...required or permitted to work..."
Cook is claiming that DHL knowingly failed to pay its workers for all hours they worked, including overtime, and as such contends that DHL's refusal to pay its workers violates IMWL and the IWPCA.
Cook is seeking a trial by jury and for lost wages, including damages, penalties, interest and restitution, along with court costs and legal expenses.
Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Douglas M. Werman, and Maureen A. Salas, of Werman Salas, of Chicago; Peter Winebrake, Michelle Tolodziecki, and Deirdre Aaron, of the firm of Winebrake & Santillo, of Dresher, Pennsylvania; and Sarah R. Schalman-Bergen and Krysten Connon, of Lichten & Liss-Riordon, of Boston.