DAVID V. BANKERS LIFE & CASUALTY CO., MISCLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

On June 16, 2011, SGB filed a class action lawsuit in King County Superior Court, Washington, alleging that Bankers Life and Casualty Co. misclassified its agents in Washington State as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, agents did not receive the overtime or minimum wage payments required under the Washington Minimum Act, RCW 49.46. These agents worked for Bankers Life in Washington State between June 16, 2008 and the present time.  Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit is former Bankers Life Branch and Regional Manager, Al Hawks.
 
Bankers Life removed the lawsuit to Federal District Court in July 2011, but on October 27, 2011, the Federal Court rejected that attempt and sent the case back to King County Superior Court.  Discovery is ongoing, no class has yet been certified.  Trial is currently scheduled for December 3, 2012.