On May 24, 2021, seven gardeners and members of Kim Kardashian’s maintenance staff sued her for wage violations they suffered while working at Kardashian’s $60 million Los Angeles mansion under California law. Kardashian is accused of failing to pay her staff overtime and timely wages, failing to provide required meal and rest breaks, and failing to reimburse employment expenses. One of Kardashian’s workers also claims he was fired soon after inquiring about his right to overtime pay.
A Kardashian spokesperson released a statement and denied all responsibility, claiming “these workers were hired and paid through a third-party vendor hired by Kim to provide ongoing services. Kim is not party to the agreement made between the vendor and their workers[.]” Regardless of whether Kardashian hired a third-party vendor or directly employed the workers, she is likely to face liability if a California court finds Kardashian exercised control over the workers’ wages, hours, or working conditions.
While the legal dispute between Kardashian and her former gardeners and maintenance staff is unique in that it involves a high-profile employer, the facts surrounding the dispute are not uncommon for many workers across the country. Often, workers must navigate complex contracting arrangements entered into by their employers alone in order to recover their unpaid wages. Workers who believe their employer is improperly denying them overtime wages, or subjecting them to other workplace violations, should seek legal counsel to analyze their potential claims and ensure all potential employers are held accountable.