Employee Who Sued For Unpaid Overtime May Not Have Been Engaged In Interstate Commerce
Watkins v. Ameripride Services, 375 F.3d 821 (9th Cir. 2004)
John Watkins worked as a customer service representative (CSR) for Ameripride Services, a company that supplies businesses with uniform rental, sales and laundry services and building maintenance products. Watkins injured his wrist while lifting a rack of uniforms as part of his CSR duties and became disabled. He subsequently sued Ameripride for violation of California's overtime pay requirements and for violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, prohibiting disability discrimination. The Ninth Circuit reversed the partial summary judgment that had been entered in Ameripride's favor on the overtime claim; the Court held that there was a triable issue of fact as to whether Watkins was involved in interstate commerce and thus exempt from California's overtime law under the Motor Carrier Act exemption. The Court affirmed partial summary judgment against Watkins on his claim that Ameripride had not reasonably accommodated his disability.
