Last week, Leonard Chocholek filed suit against his former employer, Western Florida Lighting, who represents Hubbell Lighting and other companies in Western Florida. In the complaint Chocholek claims the actual position and responsibilities which he was hired did not align with the position he interviewed for and was promised. In the complaint, he also claims overtime pay, as well as unpaid time when his salary was docked, despite being salaried. The plaintiff claims he applied and interviewed for an inside sales position but was put to work in the quotations department, a position he repeatedly stated he was not interested in before beginning employment.
Chocholek moved from Indiana to Florida to accept the inside sales position, a move he claims he would not have done if he knew he would be working in quotations. The complaint further goes on to state that Western Florida Lighting had violated multiple FLSA laws and is demanding a jury trial, requesting compensation for unpaid overtime, relocation and living expenses, lost benefits, and emotional distress.
Chocholek referred us to his attorney who did not return our call. Western Florida had no comment. We did speak to another Florida rep who had no knowledge of the lawsuit, but explained that it is quite common for inside salespeople to do many tasks to support orders, including quotations.
We find it interesting that there is a suit with a demand for a jury trial. Usually, these types of disputes are resolved quietly without a trial.
Developing…