Shay v. Cesler

KID WELL, Justice.

This appeal presents the issue of whether a prevailing employer can be awarded attorney fees when an employee makes a legitimate claim for wages under Title 45, Chapter 6 of the Idaho Code. The district court concluded that Richard and Joyce Cesler were entitled to recover attorney fees under I.C. § 12-120(3) for defending a wage claim made by Margot Shay. We reverse.

I

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

Margot Shay was employed by Richard and Joyce Cesler as installation manager at The Power House Car Audio from December 1994 to May 1995. The record shows that Shay was to be…