The complaint, filed by San Diego-based firm Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, asserts that the defendant required staff to perform work off the clock without compensation. According to the filing, this practice deprived employees of earned wages and violated multiple sections of the California Labor Code, including sections 1194, 1197, and 1197.1 regarding minimum wage requirements.

Beyond unpaid labor, the lawsuit claims the company failed to furnish accurate itemized wage statements to hourly employees. Under California Labor Code section 226(a), employers are legally obligated to provide documentation that clearly reflects all pay periods and wages earned. The plaintiffs contend that Barrios Foods provided statements that lacked this critical information, further complicating the company's compliance with state labor standards.