Apple Wins Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Employee Bag Checks

Apple has won the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against it by employees in California. The employees were seeking back pay for time spent waiting for bag checks before leaving work.

The ruling by a San Francisco federal judge Saturday releases the company from having to compensate as many 12,400 former and current employees from 52 stores throughout the state a few dollars a day for time spent over a six-year period having their bags and Apple devices searched at meal breaks and after their shifts. A law professor who reviewed filings in the case estimated Apple could have been be on the hook for as much as $60 million, plus penalties.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup dismissed the case saying that workers could have avoided the bag checks by not bring bags with them.


“It is undisputed that some employees did not bring bags to work and thereby did not have to be searched when they left the store,” he said.

While the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that workers don't have the right to be paid for time spent in post-shift security searches, there was still an opening for employees to pursue their case under California law.

“Plaintiffs are disappointed in the court’s ruling and are exploring their options, including an appeal,” said Lee Shalov, a lawyer for the workers.

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