Wright v. Frontier Management LLC ( 2020 )

1 Carolyn H. Cottrell (SBN 166977) Ori Edelstein (SBN 268145) 2 SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY LLP 3 2000 Powel! Street, Suite 1400 Emeryville, California 94608 4 Telephone: (415) 421-7100 : Facsimile: (415) 421-7105 ccottrell@schneiderwallace.com oedelstein@schneiderwallace.com Attomeys for Plaintiff and the Putative 7 Class and Collective 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 9 10 JOSHUA WRIGHT, on behalf of himself and | Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD all others similarly situated, Amen DED 11. STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY Plaintiff, CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND 12 FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 3 vs. U.S.C. § 216(b) AND ORDER FRONTIER MANAGEMENT LLC, 14 FRONTIER SENIOR LIVING, LLC, and GH_ | Judge: Hon. John A, Mendez SENIOR LIVING, LLC dba GREENHA VEN ESTATES ASSISTED LIVING, Complaint Filed: September 6, 2019 16 Defendants. Trial Date: None 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C, § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED) ORDER Wright, et al. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD 1 Plaintiff Joshua Wright (“Plaintiff’) and Defendants Frontier Management LLC, Frontier 2 |; Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living 3 || (collectively, “Defendants”) (Plaintiff and Defendants are collectively referred to as the “Parties”), 4 || by and through their attorneys of record, hereby stipulate as follows: 5 1. _— Plaintiff initiated this action on September 6, 2019 asserting claims on behalf of a 6 || national Collective against Defendants for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 7 || 201 et seg. (“FLSA”), as well as class claims under the California state wage and hour laws. ECF 8 1. 2. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants violated the FLSA with respect to Plaintiff and the 10 putative Collective by, inter alia, failing to compensate Plaintiff and the Collective for all hours i worked and, with respect to such hours, failing to pay the legally mandated overtime premium for such work and/or mania wage. I3 3. The proposed Collective is defined as follows: 14 All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Frontier 15 Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, — LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after 16 [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for 7 conditional certification)]. 18 4, The Parties have met and conferred, and agreed to attempt early resolution via 19 private mediation in May 2020, thereby necessitating the early facilitation of nationwide notice to 20 the proposed Collective. The Parties recognize that the Court may: (1) grant a Plaintiff's motion > for conditional certification under § 216(b) of the FLSA, given the low threshold for conditional 9 certification or (2) deny a plaintiff's motion for conditional certification under § 216(b) of the 33 FLSA in light of potentially material differences alleged to exist across the putative Collective, >A which might preclude a finding of “similarly situated” necessary for conditional certification. 95 Therefore, to promote efficiency and to conserve resources among the Parties’ and the Court, the 26 Parties have also agreed to stipulate to the Court’s entry of an order conditionally certifying a nationwide FLSA Collective. The Parties have also agreed that Plaintiff shall be appointed 28 collective representative and that Plaintiff's counsel shall be appointed collective counsel. STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE □□ OLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright, et al. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD 1 5. Pursuant to the Parties’ agreement, Plaintiff now seeks to notify a “Stipulated 2 || Collective” consisting of: 3 All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, 4 LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after 5 [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. 6 6. The decision by Defendants not to oppose conditional certification does not 7 constitute an admission that the named Plaintiff meets the conditions necessary for certification of 8 || a FLSA collective action, Defendants retain the right to move to decertify the Collective action, 9 oppose any request by Plaintiff for final certification of this Collective action, or otherwise oppose 10 || the claims presented. 1] 7. Within fourteen (14) days of this Order, Defendants shall provide Plaintiff with a 12 || computer-readable data file containing the names, last known mailing addresses, last known email 13 || addresses, and home and cellular telephone numbers of all persons within the Stipulated 14 |! Collective. 15 Defendants shall provide this information for any person who has been employed with 16 {Defendants after [DATE (three years prior to Order granting stipulated motion re conditional 17 |kertification)] 18 9. The Court will appoint a third-party notice administrator (“Notice Administrator”) to 19 provide to all persons identified in Defendants’ list a proposed Notice of Collective Action 20 |] Lawsuit (“Notice”) and Opt-In Consent Form (attached as Exhibit A) The form of this Notice shall 21 || be determined by the Court in light of the following: The Parties have met-and-conferred 22 || extensively on the form of notice and agreed on all aspects but have reached an impasse on 23 language pertaining to notice of imposition of costs and notice of Rule 11. The Parties’ respective 24 | positions are set forth below for the Court’s consideration. 25 || Plaintiff's Position: 26 Plaintiff requests that the Court approve the Notice found in Exhibit B attached to this 27 || Stipulation. This notice omits a detailed discussion of the imposition of costs and fees in favor of a 28 /s/ Vincent R. Fisher . Joseph P. Lordan 3 Vincent R. Fisher LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARD & SMITH LLP 4 Attorneys for Defendants FRONTIER 5 MANAGEMENT LLC, FRONTIER SENIOR 6 LIVING, LLC and GH SENIOR LIVING, LLC dba GREENHAVEN ESTATES ASSISTED LIVING ; . 8 9 10 ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 □ 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Sn > STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright, etal. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD JORDER 2 Plaintiff Joshua Wright (‘‘Plaintiff’) and Defendants Frontier Management LLC, Frontie 3 {| Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Livin 4 || (collectively, “Deféndants”) (Plaintiff and Defendants are collectively referred to as the “Parties”), 5 || have stipulated to conditionally certify as a FLSA collective action, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 e 6 |} seq., the following Collective: 7 All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, 8 LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for 9 |I. conditional certification). 10 Plaintiff alleges that Defendants violated the FLSA with respect to Plaintiff and the putative 11 || Collective by, inter alia, failing to compensate Plaintiff and the Collective for all hours worked and, 12 |} with respect to such hours, failing to pay the legally mandated overtime premium for such wor 13 |] and/or minimum wage. 14 Having considered the Parties’ Stipulation, the allegations in Plaintiff's Complaint, and give 15 |] the low threshold for conditional certification under Section 216(b) of the FLSA, see Ramirez vy. 16 |} Ghilotti Bros. Inc., 941 F. Supp. 2d 1197, 1203 (N.D. Cal. 2013), Plaintiff has met the lenien 17 || standard at this stage for conditional certification and for this Court to facilitate notice to proposed 18 || Collective members pursuant to the FLSA. 19 The decision by Defendants not to oppose conditional certification does not constitute a 20 || admission that the named Plaintiff meets the conditions necessary for certification of a FLS 21 || collective action. Defendants retain the right to move to decertify the Collective action, oppose any 22 || request by Plaintiff for final certification of this Collective action, or otherwise oppose the claims 23 || presented. However, at this time, the Court has determined Plaintiff's allegations are sufficient t 24 || provide Defendants’ other non-exempt employees notice of the litigation and an opportunity to opt- 25 |} in to the action to pursue their FLSA claims. — 26 Therefore, Stipulation for Conditional Certification and to Facilitate Notice under 29 U.S.C. 27 || § 216(b) is GRANTED as follows: 28 I STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C, §216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright, etal. v. Frontier Management LLC. etal... Case No. 9-cv-01767-JAM-CKD ase 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD Document 14 Filed 03/16/20 Page 10 of 24 1 1. Within fourteen (14) days of this Order, Defendants shall provide Plaintiff with a 2 || computer-readable data file containing the names, last known mailing addresses, last known email 3 || addresses, and home and cellular telephone numbers of all persons within the following definition: 4 All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, 5 LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after □ 6 [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. 7 2. Defendants shall provide this information for any person who has been employed wi 8 [Defendants at any time from [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion fo 9 |onditional certification)]. 10 3, Plaintiff shall be appointed class and collective representative and Plaintiff's counsel 11 |] shall be appointed class and collective counsel. The Court will appoint a third-party notice 12 |} administrator (“Notice Administrator”) to provide the proposed Notice of Collective Action 13 || Lawsuit (“Notice”) and Opt-In Consent Form to all persons identified in Defendants’ list. 14 4, The Court approves the Opt-In Form attached to the Parties’ Stipulation as Exhibit 15 Hla. 16 5. The Court the Proposed Notice attached to the Stipulation as: 17 jpn Exhibit B (Plaintiff's proposed Notice); or 18 Exhibit C (Defendants’ proposed Notice). 19 6. The Court will appoint a third-party notice administrator (“Notice Administrator”) to 20 |! mail and email the proposed Notice of Collective Action Lawsuit and Opt-In Consent Form to all 21 || persons identified in Defendant’s list. Heffler Claims Group is approved as the Notice 22 || Administrator. Plaintiff shall pay the costs of the Notice Administrator, subject to claiming the 23 || costs as a reimbursable litigation expense. The Notice Administrator shall provide the Notice and □□ 24 Opt-In Consent Form by: (1) first class mail, (2) email, and (3) electronically at a website hosted 25 || by the Notice Administrator within seven (7) days of receipt of the list of Defendants’ eligible 26 || current and former employees, or as soon thereafter as practicable. 27 7. Within seven (7) days of the Notice Administrator’s receipt of the list of Defendants’ 28 ———_ STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright, et al. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD 1 || eligible current and former employees, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Defendants shall 2 || post a copy of the Notice in appropriate, conspicuous, visible, and accessible places at each of its 3 {| offices or other locations in which Collective Members currently work and maintain such posting 4 || throughout the sixty (60)-day notice period. Plaintiff's counsel may also post a copy of the Notice 5 || and Opt-In Consent Form on Plaintiff’s counsel’s firm website during this sixty (60)-day notice- 6 || period. 7 8. Eligible persons shall be given sixty (60) days from the latest of the date on which 8 || the Notice and Opt-In Consent Form is sent via first class mail, the date on which the Notice and 9 |} Opt-In Consent Form is sent via email, or the date on which it is posted electronically, in which to 10 |} return their Opt-In Consent Form (received, postmarked, or completed via an electronic signature 11 || service) to the Notice Administrator or Plaintiffs counsel. 12 9. Eligible persons who have not submitted their Opt-In Consent Form within forty 13 || (40) days of the initial mailing contemplated in Paragraph 3 will receive a reminder by email from 14 || the Notice Administrator. 15 10. All Opt-In Consent Forms will be deemed to have been filed with the Court the date 16 || they are stamped as received by Plaintiff's Counsel or the Notice Administrator, and Plaintiff's 17 || Counsel will file them electronically on the docket on a weekly basis. Plaintiff's counsel may cure 18 || and re-file any Opt-In Consent Forms that were filed and later found to be deficient. 19 21 IT IS SO ORDERED. 22 23 Dated:__ 3 i [ ¢/ RO Ab HON. JOHN A. MENDEZ UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 25 26 27 28 $$ STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright et al. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 2 [hereby certify that I electronically filed the foregoing document with the Clerk of the Court 3 || for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California, by using the Court’s CM/ECF 4 || system on March 13, 2020. 5 I certify that all participants in the case are registered CM/ECF users and that service will be 6 || accomplished by the Court’s CM/ECF system. 7 8 || Dated: March 13, 2020 Respectfully submitted, 9 /s/ Ori Edelstein 10 Carolyn H. Cottrell Ori Edelstein 11 SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY LLP 12 Attorneys for Plaintiff and the Putative Class 13 and Collective 14 15 SIGNATORY ATTESTATION 16 The e-filing attorney hereby attests that concurrence in the content of the attached documents 17 d authorization to file the attached documents has been obtained from the other signatory indicate 18 |by a conformed signature (/s/) within the attached e-filed documents. 19 20 ated: March 13, 2020 /s/ Ori Edelstein Ori Edelstein 21 99 . 23 24 25 26 27 | ene | STIPULATION TO CONDITIONALLY CERTIFY THE COLLECTIVE AND FACILITATE NOTICE PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) AND [PROPOSED] ORDER Wright, et al. v. Frontier Management LLC, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD EXHIBIT A OPT-IN CONSENT FORM Wright v. Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living United States District Court, Eastern District of California Case No. 2:19-cev-01767-JAM-CKD Complete And Submit To: Noi Amini [PlaintiePs Couniel _fiddress "Adate Fax/email] Fak/email] Name: Date of Birth: (Please Print) Address: Phone No. 1: Phone No, 2: E-mail Address: CONSENT TO JOIN COLLECTIVE ACTION Pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, ef seq. 1. I consent and agree to pursue my claims relating to and arising from Defendants’ (Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living) alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, e¢ seg. in connection with the above-referenced litigation. 2. Ihave worked as a/an (job title) for Defendant in (city and state where worked) from approximately on or about (date employment began) to approximately on or about (date employment ended) . 3. | understand that this litigation has been filed as a proposed collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, ef seg. I hereby consent, agree, and opt-in to become a Plaintiff herein and be bound by any judgment of the Court or any settlement of this action. 4. I specifically authorize my attorneys, Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLP to prosecute this lawsuit on my behalf and to negotiate a settlement of any and al! claims I have against the Defendants in this litigation. Sn a Dt Signed) a *+IMPORTANT NOTE** Statute of Limitations concerns mandate that you return this form as soon as possible to preserve your rights. EXHIBIT B NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE ACTION LAWSUIT This Notice has not been prepared by the Court. This Notice is not a representation by the Court of the merits of the lawsuit. Wright v. Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living United States District Court, Eastern District of California Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD TO: All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. RE: Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) lawsuit seeking alleged unpaid wages, including minimum wages, wages at the agreed rate, and overtime compensation PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. THIS NOTICE COULD AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. I. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of the existence of a collective action lawsuit, to advise you of how your rights may be affected by this suit, and to instruct you on the procedure for participating in this suit, should you choose to do so. YOU HAVE NOT JOINED THE LAWSUIT UNTIL YOU RETURN THE “OPT-IN CONSENT FORM” PROVIDED WITH THIS NOTICE TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR AND/OR PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL LISTED BELOW. Il. DESCRIPTION OF THE LAWSUIT This lawsuit is brought by Joshua Wright, a former Med Tech at Greenhaven Estates, on behalf of current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Defendants Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living (“Defendants”) throughout the United States after [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. Joshua Wright, the Plaintiff, has made the following claims, among others: 1) Defendants allegedly failed to pay wages for all hours worked, including, without limitation: for time spent working before and after scheduled shifts; and for time spent working during meal breaks; 2) Defendants allegedly failed to pay all wages owed, including payment of at least minimum wage and overtime pay for all hours worked, as well as compensation for wage deductions for the cost of purchase and/or maintenance for required uniforms/protective gear; and 3) Defendants allegedly failed to make, keep, and preserve required accurate records of all hours worked by the employees. Defendants deny all of these contentions and Plaintiff's other allegations in this lawsuit. Defendants also deny that this case can properly be maintained, litigated, or adjudicated as a collective action. Defendants assert that they have always properly paid all wages due to employees, including as to at least minimum and overtime wages. Plaintiff seeks to recover payment for all hours worked, including payment for unpaid straight time and the time worked above 40 hours in a work week, and minimum wage violations, including interest thereon, statutory penalties and liquidated damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and litigation costs on behalf of themselves and all similarly situated workers. It is your own decision whether to join this lawsuit. This lawsuit was filed against Defendants, on September 6, 2019 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The case name is Joshua Wright v_ Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living. The case number is 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD. The Parties have stipulated to conditional certification of this case to notify you of the lawsuit and to give you a chance to join the lawsuit. Ill. YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SUIT You may join, or “opt in” to, this lawsuit by submitting your “Opt-in. Consent Form to the Claims Administrator by: (1) visiting the following website [yperlink to administrator website] and submitting your completed “Opt-In Consent Form’ electronically, (2) emailing your completed “Opt- In Consent Form” to nti iff’'s Counsel], (3) faxing your completed “Opt-In Consent Form” to [fax numbers of Claims Administrator and Plaintiff's Counsel] or (4) mailing your completed “Opt-In Consent Form” to the Claims Administratof at the following address: FRONTIER AND GREENHAVEN FLSA LITIGATION You are not required to join or “opt in” to this lawsuit, but if you wish to do so, this form must be returned to the Claims Administrator and/or Plaintiff's Counsel on or before [INSERT DATE □ 60 days after mailing/emailing/posting of fiotice.] If you fail to return the “Opt-In Consent Form” to the Claims Administrator and/or Plaintiff's Counsel on or before [DATE] , you may not be able to participate in this lawsuit. If you choose not to join in this lawsuit, you are only waiving your right to join this particular lawsuit; you would be free to file your own lawsuit against Defendants. If you file an “Opt-In Consent Form,” your continued right to participate in pursuing these FLSA claims in this action may depend upon a later decision by the Court as to whether you and the named Plaintiff are actually “similarly situated” in accordance with federal law. IV. EFFECT OF JOINING THIS SUIT If you choose to join this suit, you will be bound by the judgment or settlement, whether it is favorable or unfavorable as to claims made in this action under the FLSA. If the Court or jury rules in favor of the Defendants, you will not be entitled to any relief, monetary or otherwise, under the FLSA if you join this action. Costs and fees will be determined by federal statute and/or the contractual agreement you have with your attorney. Your decision to file an Opt-In Consent Form does not necessarily determine whether or not you will be required to submit evidence or provide testimony during the case. Defendants contend its policies were lawful and that individualized inquiries into your claims may be warranted, Joshua Wright’s attorneys and Defendants’ attorneys may take evidence and testimony from both those who submit an Opt-In Consent Form as well as those who do not. VI. NO LEGAL EFFECT IN NOT JOINING THIS SUIT If you choose not to join this suit, you will not be affected by any judgment or settlement rendered in this case, whether favorable or unfavorable. If you choose not to join in this lawsuit, the only right you are forfeiting is the right to join this particular lawsuit, and you would be free to file your own lawsuit. VIL NO OPINION EXPRESSED AS TO THE MERITS OF THE CASE This Notice is for the sole purpose of determining the identity of those persons who wish. to join and participate in this lawsuit. Although the United States District Court for the Eastern District of _ California has authorized the sending of this Notice, This Notice is not from the Court. The Court has not decided whether Plaintiff or Defendants are correct, and the Court is not suggesting whether Plaintiff will win or lose the case. The Court expresses no opinion regarding the merits of Plaintiff's claims or Defendants’ defenses, as this is ongoing litigation and those issues have not yet been decided. VII. NO RETALIATION PERMITTED Federal law prohibits Defendants from discharging or in any other manner discriminating or retaliating against you because you have exercised your rights under the FLSA to join, or not to join, this action. IX. YOUR LEGAL REPRESENTATION IF YOU JOIN By joining this lawsuit, you may designate Joshua Wright, the Named Plaintiff, and his attorneys as your agents to make decisions on your behalf concerning the litigation. The law firm of Schneider Wallace Cottrell and Konecky LLP will represent those who receive this notice and join the collective action. If you desire, however, you also may retain a different lawyer to represent you and have that lawyer enter an appearance in this lawsuit on your behalf, or you may choose not to retain a lawyer and represent yourself in this action within the applicable statute of limitations period. If you have any questions, you may contact the attorneys listed below: Carolyn H. Cottrell Ori Edelstein Michelle S. Lim SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY LLP 2000 Powell Street, Suite 1400 Emeryville, California 94608 Telephone: (415) 421-7100 Facsimile: (415) 421-7105 Email: ccottrell@schneiderwallace.com oedelstein@schneiderwallace.com mlim@schneiderwallace.com **PLEASE NOTE** There is a two (2) year deadline for filing overtime claims or three (3) years if the violation is determined to be willful. This deadline continues to run until you “opt-in” to this conditionally certified Collective Action. If you wish to participate in this Collective Action, return your “Opt-in Consent Form” as soon as possible so that your rights may be preserved. ‘EXHIBIT C NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE ACTION LAWSUIT This Notice has not been prepared by the Court. This Notice is not a representation by the Court of the merits of the lawsuit. Wright v. Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living United States District Court, Eastern District of California Case No. 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD TO: All current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Fronti¢r Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living, in the United States after [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. RE: Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) lawsuit seeking alleged unpaid wages, including minimum wages, wages at the agreed rate, and overtime compensation kkk PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. THIS NOTICE COULD AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. I. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of the existence of a collective action lawsuit, to advise you of how your rights may be affected by this suit, and to instruct you on the procedure for participating in this suit, should you choose to do so. YOU HAVE NOT JOINED THE LAWSUIT UNTIL YOU RETURN THE “OPT-IN CONSENT FORM” PROVIDED WITH THIS NOTICE TO THE CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR AND/OR PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL LISTED BELOW. II. DESCRIPTION OF THE LAWSUIT This lawsuit is brought by Joshua Wright, a former Med Tech at Greenhaven Estates, on behalf of current and former hourly, non-exempt employees of Defendants Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living (“Defendants”) throughout the United States after [DATE (three years prior to date of filing of stipulated motion for conditional certification)]. Joshua Wright, the Plaintiff, has made the following claims, among others: 1) Defendants allegedly failed to pay wages for all hours worked, including, without limitation: for time spent working before and after scheduled shifts; and for time spent working during meal breaks; 48 14-5748-6519.1 2) Defendants allegedly failed to pay all wages owed, including payment of at least minimum wage and overtime pay for all hours worked, as well as compensation for wage deductions for the cost of purchase and/or maintenance for required uniforms/protective gear; and 3) Defendants allegedly failed to make, keep, and preserve required accurate records of all hours worked by the employees. . Defendants deny all of these contentions and Plaintiff's other allegations in this lawsuit. Defendants also deny that this case can properly be maintained, litigated, or adjudicated as a collective action. Defendants assert that they have always properly paid all wages due to employees, including as to at least minimum and overtime wages. Plaintiff seeks to recover payment for all hours worked, including payment for unpaid straight time and the time worked above 40 hours in a work week, and minimum wage violations, including interest thereon, statutory penalties and liquidated damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and litigation costs on behalf of themselves and all similarly situated workers. It is your own decision whether to join this lawsuit. This lawsuit was filed against Defendants, on September 6, 2019 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. The case name is Joshua Wright v. Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, and GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living. The case number is 2:19-cv-01767-JAM-CKD. The Parties have stipulated to conditional certification of this case to notify you of the lawsuit and to give you a chance to join the lawsuit. III. YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SUIT You may join, or “opt in” to, this lawsuit by submitting your “Opt-in Consent Form to the Claims Administrator by: (1) visiting the following website [hyperlink to administrator website] and submitting your completed “Opt-In Consent Form” electronically, (2) emailing your completed “Opt- In Consent Form” to (ce (3) faxing your completed “Opt-In Consent Form” to [fax num pers of Clainis Administrator and Plaintif’S:Counse)] or (4) mailing your completed “Opt-In Consent Form” to the Claims Administrator at the following address: FRONTIER AND GREENHAVEN FLSA LITIGATION Claim Admin Address You are not required to join or “opt in” to this lawsuit, but if you wish to do so, this form must be retumed to the Claims Administrator and/or Plaintiff's Counsel on or before [INSERT DATE 60 days after mailing/emailing/posting of notice.) If you fail to return the “Opt-In Consent Form” to the Claims Administrator and/or Plaintiff's Counsel on or before [DATE] , you may not be able to participate in this lawsuit. If you choose not to join in this lawsuit, you are only waiving your right to join this particular lawsuit; you would be free to file your own lawsuit against Defendants. If you file an “Opt-In Consent Form,” your continued right to participate in pursuing these FLSA claims in this action may depend upon a later decision by the Court as to whether you and the named Plaintiff are actually “similarly situated” in accordance with federal law. 4814-5748-6519.1 IV. EFFECT OF JOINING THIS SUIT If you choose to join this suit, you will be bound by the judgment or settlement, whether it is favorable or unfavorable as to claims made in this action under the FLSA. If the Court or jury rules in favor of the Defendants, you will not be entitled to any relief, monetary or otherwise, under the FLSA _ | if you join this action. If Joshua Wright and his attorneys do not prevail, any costs and fees will be determined by federal statute and/or the contractual agreement you have with your attorney. Your decision to file an Opt-In Consent Form does not necessarily determine whether or not you will be required to submit evidence or provide testimony during the case. Defendants contend its policies were lawful and that individualized inquiries into your claims may be warranted. Joshua Wright’s attorneys and Defendants’ attorneys may take evidence and testimony from both those who submit an Opt-In Consent Form as well as those who do not. If this case_is found to be presented for an improper purpose, not warranted by law, or without factual support, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11, you may be required to pay some or all of the attorneys fees incurred by Frontier Management LLC, Frontier Senior Living, LLC, or GH Senior Living, LLC dba Greenhaven Estates Assisted Living. VI. NO LEGAL EFFECT IN NOT JOINING THIS SUIT If you choose not to join this suit, you will not be affected by any judgment or settlement rendered in this case, whether favorable or unfavorable. If you choose not to join in this lawsuit, the only right you are forfeiting is the right to join this particular lawsuit, and you would be free to file your own lawsuit. VII. NO OPINION EXPRESSED AS TO THE MERITS OF THE CASE This Notice is for the sole purpose of determining the identity of those persons who wish to join and participate in this lawsuit. Although the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California has authorized the sending of this Notice, This Notice is not from the Court. The Court has not decided whether Plaintiff or Defendants are correct, and the Court is not suggesting whether Plaintiff will win or lose the case. The Court expresses no opinion regarding the merits of Plaintiff's claims or Defendants’ defenses, as this is ongoing litigation and those issues have not yet been decided. VII. NO RETALIATION PERMITTED Federal law prohibits Defendants from discharging or in any other manner discriminating or retaliating against you because you have exercised your rights under the FLSA to join, or not to join, this action. IX. YOUR LEGAL REPRESENTATION IF YOU JOIN By joining this lawsuit, you may designate Joshua Wright, the Named Plaintiff, and his attorneys as your agents to make decisions on your behalf concerning the litigation. The law firm of Schneider Wallace Cottrell and Konecky LLP will represent those who receive this notice and join the collective action. If you desire, however, you also may retain a different lawyer to represent you and have that lawyer enter an appearance in this lawsuit on your behalf, or you may choose not to retain a lawyer and represent yourself in this action within the applicable statute of limitations period. 4814-5748-6519.1 3 . If you have any questions, you may contact the attorneys listed below: Carolyn H. Cottrell . Ori Edelstein Michelle S. Lim SCHNEIDER WALLACE COTTRELL KONECKY LLP 2000 Powell Street, Suite 1400 Emeryville, California 94608 Telephone: (415) 421-7100 Facsimile: (415) 421-7105 Email: ccottrell@schneiderwallace.com oedelstein@schneiderwallace.com mlim@schneiderwallace.com **PLEASE NOTE** There is a two (2) year deadline for filing overtime claims or three (3) years if the violation is determined to be willful. This deadline continues to run until you “opt-in” to this conditionally certified Collective Action. If you wish to participate in this Collective Action, return your “Opt-in Consent Form” as soon as possible so that your . rights may be preserved. 4814-5748-6519.1