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On October 5, 2005, the parties reached a tenative settlement on claims for overtime compensation. My significant other works for Electronic Arts, and I'm what you might call a disgruntled spouse." So starts the blog entry of an unhappy wife. But the details are enough to make anyone wince: mandatory hours of 9 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week--that's right, a MANDATORY 90+ hour work week. With NO overtime, NO compensation time, and no additional sick or vacation leave. If that sounds illegal, guess what? It is. And publicity about the unfair working conditions at the game producer has now resulted in the filing of a class action lawsuit against the company.

United States federal law is very specific about overtime pay, which is calculated at the regular hourly rate plus an additional 50%. If you work more than 40 hours per week, you may be entitled to overtime pay. Allegations of overtime pay abuse have been brought against such companies as Home Depot, Lowes, RadioShack, Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Walgreens, Sams Club and Starbucks, to name a few.

A class action has been filed against New York City Health and Hospital Corporation for retaliation and violations of overtime laws. The complaint alleges that Marjorie Barnwell worked for Kings County Hospital, but was not paid for overtime and that the Hospital retaliated against her when she confronted them. Barnwell is suing for unpaid overtime compensation and retaliation.

A statewide collective action has been filed in Florida against A.M.A. Pretzels II, Inc., who conduct business under the name Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The action is brought on behalf of all current and former employees, who since April 2001, were not paid proper statutory overtime for all hours worked beyond 40 per week. The action is brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and seeks statutory and liquidated damages as well as declaratory and injunctive relief. As a collective action, all potential claimants are required to "opt-in" to the action in order to be considered part of the class. The employees have requested that the court issue notice to all potential class members.

A class action lawsuit has been filed in Northern District Court of Illinois against Rossi Real Estate Corporation. The case involves violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act which establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. No additional information about the substance of the allegations is available at this time. Classactionamerica.com will monitor this case and provide additional details as soon as they become available.

Employee stock option plans can be an effective investment if they are managed correctly. The class has been certified in an action filed against manufacturer Amsted Industries, Inc. on behalf of non-retired employee stock ownership plan participants who allege that the company's trustees and administrators violated the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act by improperly reducing the benefits obtainable by participants. Eligible employees may contact the class attorneys for further information.