Comcast and Arise Virtual Solutions, one of the cable operator's contractors, are facing a civil lawsuit over allegations that they failed to pay legally due wages to certain customer service representatives.

The suit (PDF) was filed on January 19 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Civil Division, and was led by Washington, DC, Attorney General Karl Racine.

It alleges that Arise and Comcast denied customer service agents minimum wage, overtime and paid sick leave by misclassifying them as independent contractors rather than employees. The suit further alleges that Arise targets women of color in their marketing for service agents and then denies those workers the pay and benefits required by District law.

Arise's approach has allegedly injured at least 180 workers in the District, according to the complaint, which characterizes Arise as a "gig economy" company. Arise's clientele also includes corporate giants such as Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Disney, Home Depot and Walgreens.

Comcast and Arise have been asked for comment.

'Systematic' misclassification cuts labor costs, suit claims

Arise's decision to "systematically misclassify" employees as independent contractors enables Arise to reduce labor costs below the amount its workers are entitled to under District law, the suit alleges. Those entitlements include a minimum wage that is currently set at $15.20 per hour and overtime pay of at least 1.5 times their regular rate. The complaint claims that certain...

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