You don’t have to follow employment law too closely to know that wage and hour class actions have been rampant for years.  The suits focus on employees misclassified as exempt, unpaid overtime, missed meal and rest periods, and a variety of other violations.  Everyday it seems there’s news of another lawsuit or a massive settlement.  What caught my eye today was news of a settlement involving a large, national law firm that touts its expertise in defending these types of suits.  I don’t need to say who, because the point of this entry isn’t to gloat.  It’s to emphasize that no one is immune from these types of claims.  So if you have employees, and you haven’t already done so, here’s a reminder to take a good hard look at whether you’re complying with state and federal wage and hour laws.  Because in this context, an ounce of prevention can be worth millions.