Former Employee of Framingham Elder Care Facility Seeking Class Action Lawsuit

FRAMINGHAM, MA - A local elder care and rehabilitation facility is at the center of a lawsuit initiated by a former employee and now, attorneys for that employee are seeking class action status, alleging the center hasn't paid multiple workers for "off-the-clock" work.

The suit against St. Patrick's Manor, originally filed in Woburn Superior Court in February, claims that employees must punch out at a specific time but are often required to continue working without compensation.

"Our state law mandates that individuals be paid for all compensable working time," Michael J. Bace, an attorney for the former employee, said in a statement. "These LPN's and nurses work extraordinarily hard, and should be paid for every hour."

St. Patrick's denied any wrongdoing in a statement Tuesday evening.

"St Patrick’s Manor operates with a social justice mission that calls for all who render services within the facility to be treated with respect for their own personal worth and dignity. We take seriously our obligation to provide staff with opportunities for professional and personal achievement, and job security, through fair compensation and good working conditions. We know that we have embraced and lived up to these standards and will defend vigorously any assertions to the contrary."

Bace told Patch he and his client are going forward with the lawsuit after giving the company time to respond. He is asking the court to recognize class action status so he can take on all of the employees as one client.

St. Patrick's has operated out of its Framingham location since 1969 and offers nursing care for more than 300 residents, according to its website.