Wilton, NY – Employees at two large Target distribution centers have filed a lawsuit claiming they were not compensated for the time spent walking from the warehouse entrance to their assigned work areas. This legal action highlights growing tensions between Target’s hourly warehouse staff and company management amid a period of corporate and sales challenges.
The lawsuit, filed by both current and former employees from Target’s Wilton, New York warehouse, alleges that some workers spent as long as 30 minutes walking to their workstations inside facilities comparable in size to 31 football fields. These employees argue they are owed thousands of dollars in back pay due to unpaid walking time during their shifts.
Details Behind the Unpaid Walk Time Claims
The lawsuit centers on New York labor laws and focuses exclusively on Target’s New York warehouse employees. Workers report that the distance from the clock-in stations to their work departments can be up to half a mile, necessitating walks of up to half an hour each way.
According to the complaint:
- Hourly workers’ wages range from $20 to $27 per hour, depending on position.
- Employees could be owed between $1,000 and $2,000 annually for the unpaid walking time.
- The average annual earnings for these warehouse workers fall between $39,000 and $57,000.
“Our clients filed this lawsuit for a simple reason: hourly workers in New York should be paid for all their hours worked,” said Hugh Baran of Katz Banks Kumin, lead attorney representing the plaintiffs.
Unlike prior worker compensation lawsuits against major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, which dealt with federal worker rights, this complaint strictly alleges violations of New York Labor Law. Target has yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit.
Challenges Amid Corporate Struggles and Staff Discontent
The lawsuit comes as Target faces a series of internal and external difficulties. Following months of slowing sales and negative shopper experiences, the company announced its CEO Brian Cornell will step down effective January 31, 2026, after leading the company for over a decade.
Target’s struggles include:
- Declining customer foot traffic as shoppers turn to lower-priced competitors like Walmart and Dollar General.
- Negative perceptions stemming from messy stores and mixed reactions to company initiatives on cultural and hiring fronts.
- A 10 percent drop in stock value following the announcement of new CEO Michael Fiddelke, a promotion from within.
- Employee frustrations linked to management and working conditions, such as long walks to clocking stations and work areas.
“Hourly employees of the warehouses are required to walk long distances — up to approximately half a mile — to and from their assigned departments. These warehouses are enormous industrial sites,” the lawsuit stated.
Potential Impact and Future Outlook for Target’s Workforce
If the lawsuit proceeds as a class-action suit, it could amplify workforce tensions and lead to further scrutiny of Target’s labor practices in New York. The case brings to light broader concerns about compensation fairness and work conditions for entry-level employees in massive distribution facilities.
Experts suggest the legal challenge might influence other retailers to examine their labor policies. It may also shape ongoing conversations about workers’ rights in sprawling warehouse environments.
What Can Target and Its Employees Expect Next?
As the lawsuit advances, Target may face increased pressure to compensate employees for all hours worked, including extensive walking times inside massive warehouse complexes. The company could also revisit workplace logistics, such as relocating clock-in stations or reducing the walking distances required for staff.
For employees, a successful suit may result in back pay and renewed attention to fair labor practices. For Target, this case adds another layer to ongoing efforts to stabilize its workforce morale and regain shopper confidence amid competitive retail challenges.