PNC Bank Class Action Lawsuit: Bank Accused of Unpaid Overtime

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims PNC Bank failed to pay overtime wages to its mortgage loan officers in New Jersey, violating state labor laws.

Consumers Affected: Mortgage loan officers who worked for PNC Bank in New Jersey.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division

PNC Bank is under fire for allegedly failing to pay overtime wages to its mortgage loan officers in New Jersey. A new class action lawsuit accuses the banking giant of violating state labor laws by requiring employees to work extensive hours without proper compensation.

The lawsuit, filed by former employee Alla Gurevich, aims to recover unpaid overtime wages, damages, and other relief for herself and other mortgage loan officers.

PNC Bank Accused of Failing to Pay Overtime Wages

According to the lawsuit, Gurevich worked as a mortgage loan officer for PNC Bank from December 2018 to October 2020, typically clocking nine-12-hour days, six days a week. Despite regularly exceeding 40 hours per week, Gurevich was only paid for 40 hours on most paychecks, missing out on the legally required overtime rate of one-and-a-half times her regular pay.

Gurevich claims that PNC maintained a policy that discouraged employees from accurately recording all hours worked. Much of her unpaid labor allegedly occurred off the clock, including responding to emails, processing loan applications, and taking client calls outside normal business hours. The lawsuit argues that this practice violated New Jersey’s wage laws and resulted in significant financial losses for Gurevich and her colleagues.

Lawsuit Alleges PNC Bank Violated New Jersey Labor Laws

The lawsuit highlights violations of the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law, which mandates overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Under the NJWHL, employers must pay eligible employees time-and-a-half for overtime, with few exceptions.

Gurevich alleges that PNC’s actions were not accidental but deliberate, aimed at avoiding liability for overtime compensation. The lawsuit claims that the company’s senior management knew or should have known about the violations but failed to address them.

The NJWHL protects workers from exploitative practices, enforcing minimum wage laws, overtime pay, and fair compensation. It also provides a legal avenue for employees to recover lost wages and damages when employers fail to comply.

Other Companies Face Similar Lawsuits Over Wage and Hour Violations

PNC Bank isn’t the only corporation grappling with wage-related lawsuits. In recent months, other high-profile cases have emerged:

• Subway: A former employee alleged unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations.
• Yerba Mate: Delivery drivers claimed the company failed to pay wages on time and provide required statements.
• Citibank: Accused of underpaying staff by encouraging them to underreport hours, skip breaks, and work late without overtime pay.
• Kroger: Paid a $20.8 million settlement to employees impacted by payroll errors caused by a system transition.

In her lawsuit against PNC Bank, Gurevich wants to represent all mortgage loan officers who worked for the bank in New Jersey from August 6, 2019. She is alleging violations of New Jersey Wage Payment Law and New Jersey Wage and Hour Law and is seeking damages in the amount of their unpaid overtime wages, interest, liquidated damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Gurevich v. PNC Bank
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-11376-JKS-SDA 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Brian S. Schaffer and Dana M. Cimera (Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP)
• Joseph H. Chivers (The Employment Rights Group, LLC)

Are you a current or former PNC Bank employee in New Jersey? Share your experience with their overtime pay practices in the comments below