A potential class action suit has been launched by a computer programmer formerly employed at the now defunct Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. The $5 million suit was filed on behalf of more than 100 other former employees of the bank who were laid off on September 9, 2008. If the class is certified, there could be more than 1,000 plaintiffs.
The suit alleges that Lehman has violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, which requires 60 days advance notice in writing of a layoff. The plaintiffs in the suit were notified Sept. 9 that they would be paid for 60 more days but would not have to report to work. However, following the bankruptcy filing by Lehman Brothers, which occurred before the 60 days were up, the bank stopped making payments.
The lawsuit seeks 60 days of wages and benefits as well as severance pay of 1 week's wages for every year worked. Lawyers said in the filing the total amount could exceed $5 million.
