ST. LOUIS – Three workers have filed a lawsuit against St. Louis-based utility company Ameren, claiming the company knowingly failed to pay them and others for overtime hours and off-the-clock work.
The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 19 in St. Louis Circuit Court, representing Danielle Orchard, Kendra Owens and Doris Rowan, along with “similarly situated” employees. The three named workers were described as customer service representatives who were paid hourly.
The lawsuit alleges that the trio regularly worked more than 40 hours per week, including in overtime and off-the-clock hours, without receiving proper compensation at an “applicable overtime rate.”
Filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the lawsuit does not does not specify how many hours went unpaid or the amount of compensation owed. However, it invites other “similarly situated” workers to join the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, Ameren controlled timekeeping, payroll and employment terms, and the company “willfully and intentionally” failed to pay required wages and overtime.
The lawsuit is seeking payment of unpaid wages and overtime, along with a court order to notify other customer service representatives of their right to join through “collective action” and potentially recover unpaid compensation.
FOX 2 has reached out to Ameren’s Communications team for a response. A spokesperson declined a request for comment due to pending litigation.
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