Richard Hawkins has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, alleging multiple violations of California labor laws. The complaint was submitted by Hawkins in the Superior Court of California for Ventura County on December 30, 2024, targeting Safety Unlimited, Inc., and its CEO Julius P. Griggs.
Hawkins, representing himself and other aggrieved employees under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), accuses Safety Unlimited, Inc., and Griggs of various wage and hour law violations. These include failing to provide accurate wage statements, neglecting to pay for all hours worked including overtime, not providing lawful meal and rest periods, untimely payment during employment, and failure to reimburse necessary expenses incurred during employment. The lawsuit alleges that these practices were systematic and intentional to reduce labor costs at the expense of employee rights.
According to the complaint, Hawkins was employed as a Paramedic EMS Instructor from March 9, 2023, until June 17, 2024. He claims he was misclassified as an exempt employee despite performing duties that did not qualify for such a classification under California law. This misclassification allegedly led to him working over eight hours a day or forty hours a week without receiving proper compensation for overtime work. Furthermore, Hawkins asserts that Safety Unlimited adjusted clock-in and clock-out times unfairly and required employees to work during supposed duty-free meal periods without proper compensation.
The complaint also highlights the company's failure to reimburse employees for necessary business expenses such as using personal phones for work-related tasks. Additionally, it points out that due to inadequate staffing policies aimed at curtailing costs, employees could not take their legally mandated breaks without interruption.
Hawkins seeks civil penalties on behalf of himself and other affected employees under PAGA provisions. He demands penalties according to proof along with reasonable attorney’s fees and costs associated with the case.
Representing Richard Hawkins is Justin Lo from Work Lawyers PC. The case is being presided over in Ventura County Superior Court under Case No. 42024 CLIQEU03 4991.