Hasbro Class Action: Lawsuit Alleges Pay Transparency Violations

Case Overview: Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly violating Washington state law by failing to include salary ranges in job postings.

Consumers Affected: Job applicants in Washington state who applied for positions at Hasbro or Wizards of the Coast without salary information being provided.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Two toy and game companies have been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging they failed to include a salary range in their job postings, in violation of Washington civil rights laws.

Plaintiff John Milito filed the class action complaint against Wizards of the Coast LLC and Hasbro Inc. on June 20 in a King County Superior Court, alleging violations of Washington's Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). 

“Defendants’ refusal to post a wage scale or salary range in job postings is a violation of Plaintiff and the Class members’ civil rights,” the lawsuit states.

Failure To Disclose Wage Scales Alleged In Lawsuit

On July 24, the case was moved to a Washington federal court by the defendants.

The lawsuit accuses Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro of failing to comply with Washington state law, which mandates that employers with 15 or more employees disclose wage scales or salary ranges in all job postings. 

The move to federal court was initiated by Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro’s legal team, citing jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). 

Pay Transparency Law Aims To Address Wage Gaps

At the center of the lawsuit is the issue of pay transparency. 

Washington's EPOA — which came into law Jan. 1, 2023 — aims to address wage gaps and promote fairness in compensation. The law requires employers to provide clear information about salary ranges and benefits in job postings to ensure that all candidates, regardless of gender or race, have equal opportunities to negotiate fair pay.

Since the law was enacted, employers in Washington have faced a flurry of class action lawsuits related to the legislation requiring disclosure of salary ranges or wage rates, a general description of benefits, and other compensation information in job postings.

Recent studies have highlighted the persistent wage gap in Washington, with women earning just 78 cents for every dollar paid to men, the lawsuit states. It argues that by not including salary information in job postings, Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro have contributed to this disparity. 

Milito says that many job applicants, particularly those from underrepresented groups, lack the networks or knowledge to negotiate competitive salaries without this crucial information.

Washington's Pay Transparency Law Spurs Wave Of Lawsuits

The complaint also references similar pay transparency laws in other states, such as Colorado, which it says have shown positive effects on wage equity. 

As a result, Milito is looking to represent anyone who, from Jan. 1, 2023, applied for a job opening in the State of Washington with Wizards of the Coast LLC or Hasbro Inc. where the job posting did not disclose a wage scale or salary range. 

He is seeking certification of the class action, damages of $5,000 per class member, fees, costs and a jury trial. Milito is also seeking a court order requiring Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro to comply with Washington's pay transparency requirements going forward.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Milito v. Wizards of the Coast LLC et al
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-01111-BJR 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Timothy W. Emery, Patrick B. Reddy, Paul Cipriani, Emery Reddy (Emery | Reddy PLLC)

Have you experienced a lack of pay transparency in job postings? Share your experiences in the comments below.