November 15, 2021

Apple will pay 14,683 current and former employees at its 52 California stores about $30 million after years of dragging a case in court in which the company’s employees accused it of not paying for the time spent searching their bags and suitcases for stolen items.

The payout applies to workers who worked for the company between July 2009 and December 2015 and they will benefit from the payout once it has been approved by the district judge.

In calculating how the money will be paid, lawyers representing the Apple workers said the average payout per class member will be $1,286.

After reviewing the lawsuit filed in 2013 by two Apple Store employees, Apple makes it mandatory for store employees who come to work with bags and other luggage to be checked before they leave and the search usually takes an average of 2 to 20 minutes, sometimes 45 on the busiest days.

While workers protested the rule vociferously, Apple gave workers only two options including disciplinary action or dismissal or failure to bring their bags to work. Apple has discontinued this policy since 2015.

For more information, read the original story in GIZMODO.