Ex-employee accuses Big Lots of wage violation

PRINCETON — A Mercer County woman has filed a lawsuit against a large Ohio-based company claiming unlawful employment practices in 2014.

Barbara L. Ross filed a complaint against Big Lots Stores Inc. in Mercer Circuit Court, claiming violation of state employment law in May 2013.

According to the filing, the plaintiff was employed by Big Lots as an assistant manager for 25 years until her Dec. 19, 2014 termination.

The suit states that the defendant paid Ross gross wages of $674 for accrued and unused vacation pay on Jan. 20, 2015.

The plaintiff argues that her final wages were paid after the required deadline and states that she is consequently entitled to additional liquidated damages. Claiming that the law stipulates damages in an amount equal to three times her unpaid wages, Ross alleges that therefore the company now owes her $2,022.00 in penalties.

The plaintiff seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, filing fees, and other reasonable costs of action including discovery, document reproduction, and pre-judgment interest at the statutory rate.

The plaintiff is represented by Kathryn Reed Bayless of Bayless Law Firm in Princeton. The case has been assigned to Judge Derek C. Swope.

Mercer Circuit Court case number 15-C-170-DS