Underpaid Overtime

As a former “exempt” insurance company worker, I applaud the Alameda County Superior Court jury’s award against Farmers Insurance (“Massive Award in Overtime Lawsuit,” July 11). My old company, Fireman’s Fund, even did Farmers one better by adding insult to injury.

When someone in my unit of four left the company, he or she would not be replaced for a long time. The work was divided up among those who remained. We had to work extra hours, including Saturdays, and did not receive one penny more in our paychecks for the additional hours worked due to our exempt status. However, at the end of the year, the branch manager, who spent a large amount of his workday in pursuits similar to those of Bill Clinton, received a large bonus for keeping expenses down. No wonder everyone hates insurance companies.

Jim Elder

Calabasas