SavvySugar

Should Hooters Waitresses Have to Pay For Their Own Uniforms?

SavvySugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Hooters is one of the rare establishments where the workers' uniforms are more famous than the food. In some states, employees are required to cover the bill for their orange outfits, but New York isn't one of those places. That's why two New York women are suing Hooters for forcing them to buy their own work wardrobes.

Gina Rosati and Amy Frederick say Hooters required them to buy the getup, and their lawyer says it's against state law to make employees purchase anything other than street clothes. The total for each uniform is $19.45, broken down below. What do you think; should the ladies be responsible for the job-related expenses?

$5.45 for orange hot pants
$6 for the Hooters embellished tank top
$3.25 for a pouch
$2.50 for "suntan" pantyhose
$2.25 for thick white socks

Unemployed Woman Sues College - Does She Have a Case?

SavvySugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:04:06 -0700

It might be a first. Twenty-seven-year-old Trina Thompson filed a lawsuit against Monroe College for $70,000, the total of her tuition, with the claim that her alma mater has failed to deliver on its promises.

She graduated in April with a bachelor's degree in IT and hasn't yet found employment, a fact that she blames on the lack of leads and career advice from Monroe. A spokesman for the school insists the lawsuit is without merit. Do you think Trina has a case?

Have You Participated in Class Action Settlements?

SavvySugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:30:50 -0700

It seems there's a class action lawsuit happening at any given moment. Recent cases involving credit reporting and cosmetics have shown that settlement terms from class action suits are favorable to the consumer, but have you ever made a claim to participate?

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Cosmetics Class Action Suit: Free Products Up to $25

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00:04 -0700

In a matter of a few months, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Filene's, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue will be giving away $175 million in free cosmetics including makeup and fragrances. This isn't a gesture of generosity but the terms of a class action settlement.

According to The Boston Globe, the department stores and cosmetics companies "conspired to sell products at the manufacturers' suggested price only - never at a discount. It also alleged that special promotions were coordinated in a way that ensured there would be no competition among stores."

The giveaway is projected to begin in January 2009, and consumers can get up to $25 in free merchandise after signing a form stating they purchased products at the particular store between May 29, 1994 and July 16, 2003. No receipt or proof of purchase is necessary and you'll have to get your goods on a first-come, first-served basis. Find a list of product lines available in the giveaway and additional settlement details at the settlement's official website.

Will you be showing up to receive free stuff at the beauty counters?

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Man Must Pay $150,000 For Breaking Engagement "Contract"

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:00:02 -0700

Breaking up is rarely uncomplicated, but the stakes rise considerably when one person in the relationship has made financial sacrifices for the other. Rosemary Shell took a substantial pay-cut when she moved from Florida to Georgia to be with her then fiancé Wayne Gibbs. She earned $81,000 a year, plus a 15 percent bonus at her previous job and her new position in Georgia paid only $31,000 a year.

Three days before the wedding, Wayne left Rosemary a breakup note in the bathroom, and later she learned that he was unfaithful during their engagement. Her revenge? A lawsuit claiming breach of contract. The three day trial decided that Wayne must pay his ex-fiancée $150,000 for financial loss and humiliation.

Rosemary's lawyer focused on arguing the broken contract, which I'm assuming is the broken engagement. Are engagements contracts? Do you agree with the jury's decision to punish Wayne for his heartless ways?

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First Arrest (Ever!) For Sexual Harassment in China

SavvySugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:09:36 -0700

Many US employers have been requiring their male and female workers to attend sexual harassment seminars to help prevent nasty lawsuits surrounding the issue. China's companies aren't responsible for harassment among staff, but the country has taken a huge step in the right direction to address the crime of sexual harassment.

The country passed laws banning harassment and domestic violence three years ago, and the first arrest has just been made under these laws. An office manager swayed a new female employee into his office under the premise of discussing work matters, and once behind closed doors he admitted that he wanted to be her boyfriend.

The manager reacted to being turned down by grabbing the woman's neck and kissing her. A scream led co-workers to call the police, and the man has been sentenced to five months in jail.

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Would You Sue For a Busted Stiletto and a Broken Ankle?

SavvySugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:33:34 -0700

Four years after Sophie King's broken stiletto caused her to break an ankle and undergo an operation on her leg, she was awarded £7,200 by the shoe company that admitted its liability in a British court yesterday. It was the first time Sophie had worn the £35 heels and her lawyer said the case could have gone differently if the shoes were six-months old. He also stated, "If they have just bought the shoes and the shop admits liability they could and should take it up."

He thinks if the case is in the bag a consumer has no reason not to pursue a lawsuit. Would you take a shoe company to court under these circumstances?

Today Is the Last Day to File Your De Beers Class Action Claim

SavvySugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:34:00 -0700

Back in January of this year, De Beers agreed to pay $300 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the company of violating antitrust laws. If you purchased any diamonds (not necessarily from De Beers) between January 1, 1994, and March 31, 2006 than you're eligible to file a claim against the company. The filing deadline is today, May 19 - you can file a claim online and find more information at the settlement's website.

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Liar, Liar: Airborne Class Action Lawsuit

SavvySugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:16:51 -0800

Airborne was never particularly something I bought into, but that doesn't mean I've never tried it. Often recommended by stars and featured on popular talk shows, Airborne made its way into the bodies of people hoping it would do more for their immune systems than crossing their fingers. Turns out Airborne doesn't have any proof that its product does any good beyond a placebo effect, and the company has agreed to pay $23.3 million in a class action lawsuit for false advertising. Given the context, doesn't the guy in the blue suit on the box look like he's rolling his eyes at the product? If you want to know how can you get in on the vitamin-y action, just read more

If you purchased an Airborne product between May 1, 2001 and November 29, 2007 you can file a claim and will receive a refund for your purchase. Depending on how many people take the initiative to file, there's a chance your refund will be less than the full purchase price if the total claims amount to more than $23.3 million. What if you don't have proof of your purchase? The settlement website says: If you do not have a Proof of Purchase, you can still file a Proof of Claim for up to 6 boxes of Airborne Products. You will get a refund that is based on the average retail price of the Product: $10.50 per box of Seasonal, $2.75 per box for Gummi, and $6.99 per box for all other Airborne Products."

You can file your claim online at the Airborne Settlement website or send it by mail. If filed online, it must be submitted by September 15 and if you send it in the mail, it has to be postmarked by the same date.

Got Bling? De Beers Class Action Lawsuit

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:04:21 -0800

If you've got some ice, you may have the opportunity to get a little more mileage out of it. De Beers, the company that essentially has a monopoly on the world’s supply of diamonds, has agreed to pay nearly $300 million due to a class-action lawsuit against the company alleging antitrust violations.

Who's eligible to get in on the class action? Your diamonds could have been purchased from any jewelry store in the country between January 1, 1994, and March 31, 2006 and you could be eligible to receive anywhere from 6 percent to 60 percent of the original purchase price. Keep in mind that this relates to diamonds bought in any form and from any location - that means De Beers' competitors.

The filing deadline is May 19, 2008. You can file a claim online and find more information at the settlement's website.

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