Federated defends employee arbitration program

Client(s) Federated Department Stores, Inc.

Federated Department Stores, Inc. retained Jones Day to enforce its nationwide voluntary employment arbitration program, including its class action waiver, in the face of multiple putative class actions involving wage-hour claims. Federated prevailed in a putative class action brought by employees alleging off-the-clock work, unlawful wage deductions, missed meal and rest breaks, waiting-time penalties, improper wage statements, unlawful timing of wage payments, and unfair business practices. Jones Day moved to compel arbitration and obtained disqualification of the class representative, dismissal of the class allegations, and a stay of the action. Federated also successfully challenged an onerous discovery ruling.

Ressler v. Federated Dept. Stores, Inc. Case No. 2:05CV5185 (C.D. Cal.); Federated Department Stores, Inc. v. S.C.L.A., Case No. B194963 (Ca. App.)