Homefirst Settles Wage Class Action for $545K

Case Background

Homefirst Services of Santa Clara County, a non-profit, faced a class action lawsuit brought by former employees Jaymie Salinas and Gloria Zamora. Salinas worked at Homefirst from August 2022 to February 2023, while Zamora was employed from September 2019 to October 2023. Both were non-exempt, hourly workers. They filed the suit on behalf of themselves and similarly situated employees, covering a class period from June 10, 2022, to May 10, 2024.

Cause

The plaintiffs alleged multiple violations of California labor laws. They claimed Homefirst failed to pay minimum and overtime wages, denied lawful meal and rest breaks, issued inaccurate wage statements, and failed to reimburse work-related expenses. They also alleged the company did not timely pay wages owed.

Injury

As a result, employees worked under unlawful conditions. They missed breaks, received inaccurate wage statements, and paid out-of-pocket expenses without reimbursement. These practices caused financial harm and economic loss to the plaintiffs and the proposed class.

Damages

The Plaintiffs sought compensation for unpaid wages, overtime, and unreimbursed expenses. They also requested statutory penalties, interest, and injunctive relief to stop Homefirst from continuing the alleged unlawful practices.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

• Plaintiff(s): Jaymie Salinas

• Counsel for Plaintiff: Norman B. Blumenthal

• Defendant(s): Homefirst Services of Santa Clara County

• Counsel for Defendants: Katherine S. Catlos | Christine Starkie

Claims Against the Defendants

The complaint asserted ten counts against Homefirst. These included:

1. Unfair competition.

2. Failure to pay minimum wages.

3. Failure to pay overtime.

4. Meal period violations.

5. Rest period violations.

6. Inaccurate wage statements.

7. Failure to reimburse expenses.

8. Failure to pay wages when due.

9. Failure to pay sick pay wages.

10. Violation of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

The Plaintiffs demanded monetary recovery and corrective measures to protect employees going forward.

Settlement

The Plaintiff Jaymie Salinas and defendant Homefirst informed the Santa Clara County Superior Court that they reached a settlement during mediation on March 7, 2024. The parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding and were finalizing a long-form settlement agreement. They requested that the October 10, 2024 case management conference be continued to December 5, 2024, to coincide with the hearing on their forthcoming motion for preliminary approval of the class action settlement.

A proof of service filed by Gerardo Galaviz confirmed that the joint case management conference statement was electronically served on October 1, 2024, via One Legal and by email to defense counsel at Kaufman Dolowich LLP. The filing was declared under penalty of perjury as true and correct.

Judgment

On June 9, 2025, Judge Charles F. Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court granted final approval of a $545,000 class action and PAGA settlement between former employees Jaymie Salinas and Gloria Zamora and defendant HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara. The plaintiffs alleged multiple wage and hour violations, including unpaid wages, missed breaks, inaccurate wage statements, and unreimbursed expenses. The settlement class covered all non-exempt hourly employees from June 2019 to February 2024, with an estimated 776 participants receiving average payments of $375.49. The agreement allocated $181,666 in attorneys’ fees, $21,806 in costs, $14,950 in administrative expenses, $12,000 in PAGA penalties (75% to the LWDA), and $10,000 incentive awards each to the named plaintiffs. With no objections filed, the court found the settlement fair, reasonable, and in line with PAGA’s enforcement goals, and scheduled a compliance hearing for February 5, 2026.