Updated

Updated · PR Newswire · Jun 18

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Faces Class Action Over 12 California Labor Code Violations

Updated

Updated · PR Newswire · Jun 18

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Faces Class Action Over 12 California Labor Code Violations

Q: When work requires using your personal phone, does California law mandate your employer help pay the bill?

Yes. In California, if your job requires you to use your personal phone for work, your employer generally must reimburse a reasonable share of that cost. The key law is California Labor Code Section 2802, which requires employers to cover necessary expenses employees incur in doing their jobs. Courts have interpreted that rule broadly. In the 2014 case *Cochran v. Schwan’s Home Service*, a California court held that employers must reimburse employees for work-related use of personal cell phones even if the employee has an unlimited plan and does not pay extra for each call or text. That does not necessarily mean the employer must pay your entire phone bill. The usual standard is a reasonable percentage tied to work use, or a defensible flat stipend that fairly covers the expense. If the employer provides a company phone instead, that can satisfy the obligation. That legal principle is central to the new lawsuit against Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Fresno County Superior Court. The complaint alleges employees were required to use personal cell phones for work without reimbursement, along with other wage-and-hour violations. Those allegations have not been proven in court. For workers, the practical point is simple: if personal phone use is required for calls, texts, apps, authentication, scheduling, or other job tasks, California law generally says the employer—not the employee—should bear that business cost.

1 articles · Updated · PR Newswire · Jun 18

A class action filed in Fresno County Superior Court accuses Planned Parenthood Mar Monte of violating California labor law in Case No. 26CU00516.
The complaint alleges 12 Labor Code violations, including unpaid minimum and overtime wages, missed meal and rest breaks, inaccurate wage statements, unpaid sick wages and late final pay.
A central claim says employees were required to use personal cellphones for work but were not reimbursed, potentially breaching California Labor Code Section 2802 on business expenses.
The suit was filed by Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP against Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, described in the filing as a major medical and educational services provider.