Hormel Foods Corp. must compensate its workers for time spent changing into and out of required clothing and equipment, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The decision upholds a lower court ruling that compels the company to pay back wages to hundreds of employees.
Attorneys for Hormel argued the company should not be forced to compensate the workers for time spent dressing or undressing since the employees could physically complete their jobs without wearing them, according to the Associated Press. The court, disagreed with this argument finding, by a vote of 4-2, the required garments and equipment are “integral and indispensable” to job function.