Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream Delivery Drivers Sue Over Unpaid Wages and Denied Breaks

California labor laws are designed to protect employees’ rights to fair pay and proper breaks across all workplaces. However, many workers still find themselves in difficult situations where their rights are overlooked in the name of efficiency or profit. Delivery drivers often struggle between meeting demanding schedules and ensuring their employment rights are respected.

Humphry Slocombe, a well-known Bay Area ice cream company, is facing a class-action lawsuit over multiple wage and hour violations. Filed by former delivery driver Alfonso Martinez, the complaint alleges a pattern of wage violations and interrupted meal breaks. Workers were allegedly pressured to prioritize quick deliveries to “ensure that ice cream deliveries were timely.”

According to the lawsuit, Martinez and other Humphry Slocombe delivery drivers were regularly denied proper meal breaks as they rushed to deliver ice cream to stores before it melted. Management allegedly forced the drivers to skip breaks entirely or interrupted their meal periods with demands and job responsibilities. Such interruptions not only violated California labor laws but also placed significant strain on employees working under tight deadlines to ensure the ice cream stayed intact.

Martinez’s complaint also alleges that Humphry Slocombe failed to pay minimum wage, did not compensate workers for all hours worked and systematically denied overtime pay. His shifts ranged from five to eight hours, five days a week. However, he and other workers were often required to work overtime without proper pay.  Additionally, management failed to accurately maintain pay records.

Over his four years of working at Humphry Slocombe, Martinez says he and other drivers faced immense pressure to prioritize speed. The delivery schedules were demanding and designed to minimize the risk of product loss due to melting. The lawsuit highlights that any attempt to adhere to a proper meal period “went by the wayside” as drivers were expected to meet the company’s efficiency standards. For many workers, this meant sacrificing their legally mandated breaks to keep up with the company’s expectations.

The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of San Francisco County, seeks repayment for unpaid wages and overtime on behalf of Martinez and other delivery drivers who experienced similar treatment. Martinez is also requesting reimbursement for legal fees associated with the case, arguing that the company’s practices resulted in widespread violations of workers’ rights.

While Humphry Slocombe is well-known for its creative ice cream flavors, the allegations in this lawsuit paint a troubling picture of the company’s workplace practices. The company announced in late 2024 that it was closing its flagship shop in the Mission. Humphry Slocombe still has storefronts in other San Francisco locations and throughout the Bay Area.

California workers are entitled to fair pay for all hours worked, uninterrupted meal breaks and overtime pay when applicable. Workers must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over eight in a workday or over 40 in a workweek. Ignoring these requirements not only harms workers but also exposes companies to legal consequences.

For workers facing similar situations, it can be daunting to stand up against an employer, especially one with a strong local reputation. However, cases like this highlight the importance of seeking legal advice from an experienced employment lawyer.

If you believe your employer has violated your rights, whether through unpaid wages, denied meal breaks or other unlawful practices, you don’t have to navigate the situation alone. The San Francisco employment lawyers at McCormack Law Firm help workers fight for fair treatment and compensation. While we are not involved with the Humphry Slocombe case, our law firm has a track record of success in resolving employment disputes throughout the Bay Area. Contact us today to learn more about your options and schedule a free initial consultation.