Five security officers at Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network are accusing the health system of failing to pay them for all hours worked, alleging the system manipulated timecards to avoid overtime payments for working through meal breaks, according to court documents reviewed by Becker’s.
David Taylor, Jose Rivera, Joseph Palko, Robert Barnard and Michael Keegan filed the lawsuit July 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The complaint alleges LVHN management altered timecards without authorization, required officers to remain on duty and available to respond during unpaid 30-minute meal breaks, and pressured staff to clock out at the end of scheduled shifts rather than authorize overtime — even when minimum-staffing requirements made additional work necessary. Officers allege they were also required to work through the final portion of pay periods in ways that consistently avoided triggering overtime.
The plaintiffs bring claims under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Act and Wage Payment and Collection Law, seeking back pay, liquidated damages and attorney fees.
Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, which combined with LVHN in 2024 to form a system of 33 hospitals and more than 65,000 employees, declined to comment on the litigation. Irene Reyes, director of enterprise public relations for Jefferson, said in a statement to Becker’s, “We do not comment on ongoing litigation.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.