DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR)--Some current and former employees of the online retail giant Amazon have filed class action lawsuits in Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
The lawsuits allege that everyday workers at the companies fulfillment centers have to go through security searches while off the clock, some they say take as long as 20 minutes to complete.
The lawsuit said that security searches take place every time an employee leaves the warehouse floor, and twice while they are off the clock--during their meal break and when they leave for the day.
Those taking part in the lawsuits believe they should be compensated for the time they are off the clock but still at work trying to get through security.
While no similar lawsuits have been filed here in Virginia, some former employees said they understand why some are suing.
"It's very annoying, cause you know you're ready to go home and you've got to sit there and wait," Brittany Titus said. She worked at the Dinwiddie fulfillment center for more than a year.
Former employee's like Erik Baggett understand the need for tight security.
"There is a lot of security once you go inside the building, but I understand both sides," he said. "They've got to keep their products safe, because there is a lot of theft."
But some say the continued delay only gets worse during the holidays when hundreds of seasonal employees are added to the work force.
CBS 6 Legal Analyst Todd Stone said that "this Class Action Lawsuit makes it really easy for Amazon employees to jump on board, because you've got attorneys who have done the leg work and you could add them to the lawsuit pretty easily."
We reached out to Amazon, as we have multiple times in the past. They have yet to return our phone calls or emails.
