Sponsored By

Kroger employees file lawsuits over paycheck mishaps

The retailer’s new payroll system could be behind errors that have shortchanged workers and left some without payment

Bill Wilson, Senior editor at Supermarket News

March 15, 2023

2 Min Read
KrogerProduceLogo_0.jpg
The lawsuits tell a story of despair. Some employees had to take second jobs or pull out high-interest loans due to the shortchanging and missed payments.Kroger

Last week, Kroger announced it was going to invest more in its workforce. However, it appears the grocery giant has an issue with money landing in the right spot.

Four lawsuits have been filed accusing Kroger of paying employees less than they were supposed to make or failing to deliver payment at all. The culprit behind the error seems to be a new payroll system called MyTime or MyInfo. The lawsuits note the problems arose between September and November of last year and happened in four states: Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Virginia. The lawsuits also accuse Kroger of violating several state and federal laws.

Kroger said many of the issues have been resolved and that it has taken the necessary steps to expedite payments to employees impacted by the error. Still, the lawsuits tell a story of despair. Some employees had to take second jobs or pull out high-interest loans due to the shortchanging and missed payments.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen about the issue. The lawmakers wanted to know the specifics behind the problem and what Kroger has done to resolve it.

On March 6, Kroger announced it was giving back $770 million to its employees in the form of increased wages and benefits, which include training and development opportunities. This is not a one-off move for the grocer giant. Kroger has invested $1.9 billion in its work force since 2018. The average hourly rate has gone up from $18 an hour to $23.50. Kroger also has set up an educational benefit program that provides $21,000 for continuing-education opportunities; affordable health care options that are easy to access, including free counseling via Well-Being Assistant; free financial coaching services; and an onboarding experience that leads to employee confidence.

Related:Digital boom helps Kroger in Q4, FY 2022

“Our associates enable our success, and we are committed to investing in theirs,” said McMullen. “For so many, Kroger represents a first job, a new beginning or a change in career path. Continuing to raise wages and provide excellent benefits to our associates is one way we demonstrate how much we value and respect their contributions.”

About the Author

Bill Wilson

Senior editor at Supermarket News

Bill Wilson is the senior editor at Supermarket News, covering all things grocery and retail. He has been a journalist in the B2B industry for 25 years. He has received two Robert F. Boger awards for his work as a journalist in the infrastructure industry and has over 25 editorial awards total in his career. He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a major in broadcast communications.

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like