March 1, 2024 – The employee advocacy attorneys at Tycko & Zavareei LLP and Clarkson Law Firm filed a class action lawsuit against the skin and hair products company Rodan + Fields. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, alleges the company misclassifies its vast network of online sales consultants as independent contractors, contrary to California’s comprehensive labor laws.
This legal action, spearheaded by named plaintiff Lauren Dann of Ventura, is on behalf of potentially thousands of Californians—predominantly women—who have been engaged as sales consultants for Rodan + Fields. Leveraging a multi-level marketing strategy, these consultants have been pivotal in promoting the company’s acclaimed health and beauty products to a wider audience, primarily through online sales.
The complaint articulates that, under the guise of independent contractors, Rodan + Fields has evaded providing these consultants the employment rights and benefits they are purportedly entitled to under California law. These include, but are not limited to, minimum wage, wage statements, rest breaks, and reimbursement of business-related expenses. The complaint further alleges that Rodan + Fields violated the unlawful prong of California’s Unfair Competition Law through how it unfairly structured its consultant program.
The lawsuit seeks relief for Rodan + Fields consultants in California in the form of statutory penalties and compensatory damages under the California Labor Code, as well as restitution and public injunctive relief under California’s Unfair Competition Law.
Leading the legal charge are attorneys Kristen G. Simplicio, Shana Khader, and Em Feder Cooper of Tycko & Zavareei alongside Glenn A. Danas, Yana Hart, and Katelyn Leeviraphan of the Clarkson Law Firm.
This lawsuit stands as a significant challenge to Rodan + Fields’ operational practices, aiming to rectify the alleged exploitation of Californian workers. It underscores the collective endeavor to ensure that companies adhere to labor laws, upholding the rights and dignity of their workforce.
The case is Lauren Dann v. The Rodan + Fields Company, et al., Case No.: CGC-24-612800 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.