Tech Worker Sues Electronic Arts for Overtime Pay

Leander Hasty, an engineer with the company since June 2003, has filed suit seeking undisclosed back pay, damages, and penalties, according to the San Jose Mercury News. This is the second such suit against the company.

The suit alleges that Hasty and fellow workers were denied overtime benefits. Since 2000, California labor law has dictated that some professionals in the software industry are not eligible for overtime pay. Under the new rules, programmers who make over $41 an hour and engage in advanced work that is creative or intellectual are exempt from overtime rules.

The suit contends that since Hasty’s job did not require original or creative work and that he has no management responsibilities, he should be eligible for overtime pay.

A similar suit was filed by a programmer with EA, alleging that overtime benefits were incorrectly denied, according to the Mercury News.