In December a California jury found that Wal-Mart failed to give nearly 116,000 hourly workers the meal breaks they were entitled to under state law that went into effect in 2001 – a 30 minute break for every five hours on the clock. If the break is cut short, starts late, or is skipped the employer owes the employee an hour’s pay.

     After hearing all the evidence the jury added up the timecards and issued a lunch tab for $57 million in general damages and then included a generous “tip” of $115 million in punitive damages. They wanted to send a stern message and a warning to the company.

     Wal-Mart acknowledged it had compliance issues when the California statue first went into effect, but it is expected to appeal the verdict. Wal-Mart is facing similar suits in 40 other states. Ka-ching!

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