In a significant legal development, a former employee has taken action against a major home improvement retailer, alleging numerous violations of labor laws. On September 4, 2025, Mac Angel Padilla Reyes filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC. The lawsuit is brought under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), representing Reyes and other aggrieved employees who claim they were wronged by the company’s employment practices.
The case centers around allegations that Lowe’s Home Centers failed to comply with several provisions of the California Labor Code. According to the complaint, Reyes accuses Lowe’s of not paying overtime wages, failing to provide required meal and rest periods, and not compensating employees for all hours worked. These actions are said to be in violation of various sections of the California Labor Code including sections 201, 202, 203, 204, 226(a), 226.7, among others. The plaintiff claims that these violations were part of a systematic scheme by Lowe’s to increase profits at the expense of its employees’ rights.
Reyes asserts that during his employment from February 2022 to February 2025 as an hourly-paid non-exempt employee in Santa Clara County, he was subject to these unlawful practices. The complaint details how Reyes and other similarly situated employees were allegedly denied overtime pay despite working more than eight hours per day or forty hours per week. Additionally, it is claimed that they did not receive complete and accurate wage statements or reimbursement for necessary business-related expenses.
The lawsuit also highlights procedural steps taken under PAGA before filing this action. On July 1, 2025, Reyes provided written notice to both the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and Lowe’s Home Centers regarding the alleged violations but received no response within the statutory period required for LWDA intervention. This lack of response enabled Reyes to proceed with a civil action seeking penalties on behalf of himself and other affected employees.
Reyes seeks various forms of relief from the court including civil penalties as stipulated under PAGA for each violation committed by Lowe’s Home Centers. The complaint outlines potential penalties ranging from $50 to $200 per pay period for each aggrieved employee depending on whether it is an initial or subsequent violation. Furthermore, Reyes requests recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing this legal action.
Representing Mac Angel Padilla Reyes is Arby Aiwazian from Lawyers for Justice PC based in Glendale, California. The case has been assigned Case No: 25CV474348 in front of Judge M. Suarez at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.
Source: 25CV474348_Mac_Angel_v_Lowes_Home_Centers_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
Source: 25CV474348_Mac_Angel_v_Lowes_Home_Centers_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
Source: 25CV474348_Mac_Angel_v_Lowes_Home_Centers_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
