University accused of violating state wage laws in $5 million class-action lawsuit by BU lecturer

A lecturer from Boston University Metropolitan College recently took legal action against the Trustees of Boston University by filing a massive $5 million class-action lawsuit. This legal maneuver is based on allegations that the university committed violations of the Massachusetts Wage Act by failing to disburse payments to the plaintiff in a timely manner. Lydia Curtin-Wilding, a part-time faculty member and a BU alum, initiated the lawsuit, aiming to represent other similarly exempt employees who experienced wage-related issues.

The lawsuit specifies a period between February 18, 2022, and August 1, 2023, during which BU allegedly failed to provide wages weekly or bi-weekly as required. According to BU’s Human Resources Regulatory Compliance guidelines, employees at the university are categorized as exempt or non-exempt, with exempt workers receiving payment on a semi-monthly basis. However, it appears that BU paid its employees at the conclusion of each month during the stated timeframe. This payment schedule did not align with the preference of employees and contravened the Massachusetts Wage Act, which stipulates that wages must be dispensed within six or seven days following the conclusion of each weekly or bi-weekly pay period.

As a result of these delayed payments, millions of dollars in wages were purportedly withheld from employees, leading to the class-action lawsuit seeking damages totaling $5 million. Although BU has refrained from commenting on the legal matter in accordance with its protocol, the lawsuit highlights a prevalent concern regarding fair compensation and labor practices on BU’s campus.

This lawsuit emerges alongside ongoing dialogues surrounding equitable wages and labor protocols at BU, with recent negotiations involving unions such as the BU Graduate Workers Union and the Residence Life Union. Similar lawsuits regarding tardy payments were filed against other institutions like Amherst College and Harvard University, underscoring an escalating trend of wage-related disputes in academic settings.

Curtin-Wilding’s endeavor to obtain authorization from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to represent herself and a broad Class of exempt workers further emphasizes the magnitude and geographic diversity of individuals affected by this wage issue. The lawsuit also underlines that workers seeking redress for wage and hour law infringements must file a complaint with the AGO before initiating legal proceedings in court, typically within three years of the incident.

Given Curtin-Wilding’s residency outside of Massachusetts and the considerable sum sought in damages exceeding $5 million, the lawsuit was filed through the U.S. District Court, opting for a trial by jury. If successful, BU faces potential liabilities amounting to three times the delayed wages, alongside interest, legal expenses, and attorney fees. This legal action brings to the forefront fundamental issues of wage fairness and adherence to labor laws, echoing a broader discourse within educational institutions concerning employee compensation and financial transparency.