GameStop slapped with workers' rights suit

GameStop's practice of conducting mandatory security checks on employees when they take breaks or finish a shift has the specialty retailer facing legal action. However, the heart of the lawsuit isn't about violations of privacy or dignity; it's about the employees not being paid for the time the checks take up.

The class-action suit, which surfaced this week in the Superior Court of California's online database, was brought by a former GameStop employee on behalf of all individuals employed on an hourly basis who have worked for the retailer from June 21, 2010, to present.

The thrust of the allegations is that GameStop has failed to provide employees with uninterrupted, unrestricted breaks for meals and rest periods. According to California law, employers must afford employees a 30-minute meal break per five hours worked as well as a 10-minute rest break per four-hour shift.

The allegations are rooted in GameStop's policy of conducting mandatory security checks of employees when they take meals or breaks. According to the complaint, hourly employees are not compensated for time spent undergoing these security checks.

The suit also makes a handful of other allegations stemming from uncompensated time spent undergoing security checks. These allegations state that GameStop has failed to adequately compensate employees for work shifts that exceed eight hours, as well as not providing accurately itemized wage statements.

In addition to seeking class status, the suit is seeking an hour's worth of pay for each day in which adequate meal and rest breaks were not provided, as per California law. The suit also seeks any other damages determined by the Court.

GameStop had not responded to a request for comment as of press time.