CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
MajorsApr 06, 2015
Zale faces possible class action for time shaving
Lawyers in California are seeking to bring a class action lawsuit against the retail chain on behalf of nearly 20,000 employees who allegedly were cheated out of overtime pay.
San Diego--Lawyers in California are seeking to bring a class action lawsuit against Zale Corp. on behalf of nearly 20,000 employees who allegedly were cheated out of overtime pay because they had minutes “shaved” off their timecards.
Originally filed in July 2013, the case began with a woman named Naomi Tapia, who worked as a non-exempt employee (an employee who must be compensated for overtime; generally, an hourly employee) at the Zales store at Imperial Valley Mall in southern California from May 2012 until she was fired six months later, in November.
The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, claims that Tapia was not compensated for all the overtime hours she worked due to the retailer’s uniform “time shaving” policy.
Time shaving is the practice of rounding off the number of hours put in by an employee. Tapia’s time records for Oct. 14, 2012 are included in the suit as Exhibit B, and they show that she worked 9 hours and 3 minutes that day but was paid only for 1 hour of overtime, rather than 1 hour and 3 minutes.
The suit also alleges that when Tapia was paid overtime, her wage was not calculated properly because it did not factor in commissions to her regular rate of pay, which subsequently is used to determine an employee’s overtime rate. Court papers state that under federal law, commission and all “value received via an employment relationship” must be factored into the calculation of the regular rate of pay.
It also claims she was not provided accurate, itemized wage statements and was recorded as taking full 30-minute lunches even when she didn’t do so.
According to the lawsuit, Zale’s practices violated both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and labor laws in California.
On Wednesday, Tapia’s attorneys filed a motion in California federal court to have her claims certified as a class on behalf of all those who worked as non-exempt employees of Zale Corp. in California between July 3, 2009 and the time of the trial, and for those who worked for Zale anywhere else in the United States between July 3, 2010 and the time of the trial, court papers show.
That adds up to more than 19,000 employees.
A spokesman for Signet Jewelers Ltd., which acquired Zale in a $1.4 billion deal last year, said the
company is “vigorously” defending itself against the allegations in this ongoing case, and will file its response to Wednesday’s motion pursuant to the schedule set by the court.
The lawyers representing Tapia and the potential class did not respond to request for comment by deadline.
The Latest
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
