Court approves Lowe’s class-action settlement

Irvine, Calif. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Tuesday approved a class-action settlement between Lowe's Cos. and former employees who said they were forced to work without pay.

Two former workers said in a lawsuit that the home-improvement retailer forced thousands of employees to work before and after their normal shifts and did not pay for the extra time.

Lowe's confirmed the settlement was made but it denies all claims in the lawsuit, company spokeswoman Chris Ahearn said Wednesday.

"We have and continue to comply with state and federal wage and hour laws," Ahearn said.

The plaintiffs' law firm, Marlin & Saltzman LLP, said it expected the money to be distributed to class-action members by the end of the year.