Dockins v. Ingles Markets, Inc.

Toal, Justice:

The dispositive issue in this appeal is whether an employee can maintain state action for wrongful discharge when he or she has been discharged in retaliation for filing a complaint under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

FACTS

Stanley Dockins was employed by Ingles Market. Dockins alleges Ingles violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by requiring Dockins and other employees to work excessively long hours without compensation. Shortly after he reported Ingles’ conduct to the United States Department of Labor, Dockins was fired. Dockins alleges his discharge was in retaliation for…