What is the Case about?

We filed this case against Portfolio Recovery Associates in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee for a proposed class of hourly call-center employees in Tennessee who were not paid for all hours worked.

The Case alleges the following:

• that Portfolio Recovery Associates violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay employees overtime, and/or pay for all hours worked.
• Specifically, Plaintiff alleges hourly call-center employees are not paid:
  • for time spent logging into their computer, opening up necessary programs, and time otherwise spent becoming “call ready,” 
  • time spent handling phone calls that goes past the end of their shift,
  • short breaks lasting less than twenty (20) minutes in total duration,
  • and that hourly call-center employees must perform work during their lunch break.

The Plaintiff believes that he and other employees are entitled to recover unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorney’s fees, and costs.

This case is ongoing, the facts are disputed, and the Court has not ruled on the liability or damages alleged.

Can You and Your Fellow Workers Join This Case?

Generally, yes. If you or your fellow co-workers worked for Portfolio Recovery Associates within the past three years and if you believe you were not paid all of your wages as we have alleged, then you can file a consent form to join this case. The proposed class of employees that we have alleged includes the following: All Hourly Call-Center Employees Who Were Employed By Portfolio Recovery Associates, L.L.C. In The State Of Tennessee, At Any Time From April 15, 2017 Through The Final Disposition Of This Matter. The Court has not yet decided whether this case may proceed as a collective or class action, which is disputed.

How do I Get Involved?

You may join this Case and hire the lawyers of Anderson Alexander, PLLC to represent you by e-signing this Consent Form. You may also print out the form, sign it, and mail it to our office at, 819 North Upper Broadway, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. It is important to sign and return this form as quickly as possible because the time period for your recoverable wages will depend on when this form is filed with the Court. You may also seek to hire other attorneys to represent you and file a separate lawsuit against Portfolio Recovery Associates.

Can I be fired for Joining?

The law prohibits Employers, or their agents, from firing, harassing, discriminating, or retaliating against an employee for taking part in a case for back wages.

Will Joining This Case Cost Me Anything?

You will not pay anything to join this case. This case is being handled on a contingency fee basis. Our firm will only be paid if we win the case and obtain a recovery on your behalf. Our payment will come out of the recovery amount, if any.

Case Updates

April 2020 Update: We filed this case on April 15, 2020. Read the Pleadings here.

April 2020 Update: Portfolio filed a motion to sever non-Tennessee employees from this case. 

May 2020 Update: We agreed to file a new case and move all non-Tennessee clients to the new case. All hourly call-center employees who worked for Portfolio in Tennessee will remain in this case.

May 2020 Update: We filed our Motion to conditionally certify the proposed class. 

June 2020 Update: Portfolio filed a motion for transfer this case to Virginia.