Goodrow v. Lane Bryant, Inc.

The full case caption appears at the end of this opinion.

SPINA, J. Kelli K. Goodrow (Goodrow) commenced a class action[FOOTNOTE 1] against Lane Bryant, Inc. (Lane Bryant), for failing to pay overtime compensation at the rate of one and one-half times her hourly rate for the hours she worked in excess of forty in any work week, contrary to G. L. c. 151, � 1A. She also sought individually triple damages under G. L. c. 151, � 1B. After a jury-waived trial, a Superior Court judge found for Goodrow and awarded her damages in the amount of $3,773.58, [FOOTNOTE 2] plus interest, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees. Lane Bryant appealed, claiming (1) Goodrow was exempt from the provisions of � 1A because she was a “bona fide executive”; (2) the judge’s method of calculating overtime compensation for Goodrow, a salaried employee, was incorrect; and (3) G. L. c. 151, �� 1A and 1B, are unconstitutionally vague as applied. We granted its application for direct appellate review. The judge further found, as a matter of discretion, that individually Goodrow was not entitled to triple damages. Goodrow appealed, claiming the judge lacked discretion to deny triple damages after finding a violation of � 1A. We granted her application for direct appellate review. We reverse the judgment for Goodrow and affirm the judgment denying punitive damages.