EDWARDSVILLE – A class action lawsuit alleges Quality Packaging Specialists violated employees' privacy under state law by requiring them to use a fingerprint reader system to clock in and out of work.
Plaintiff Dawn Callender filed a class action lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Quality Packaging Specialists International LLC, citing negligence and carelessness in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
According to the lawsuit, Callender is a former employee of Quality Packaging Specialists. During her employment, Callender was allegedly required to use a fingerprint reader system to clock in and out of work.
The lawsuit states BIPA requires that prior to collecting biometric data including fingerprints, companies must inform employees in writing that biometric data will be collected and stored. It also states that employees must be informed in writing why the biometric data is being collected and how long it will be stored. Companies must also receive a written release from the employee for the collection of biometric data.
Callender alleges Quality Packaging Specialists invades the privacy of its employees by collecting and storing their fingerprints without informed consent. She claims the company never received a release from her allowing the collection of her fingerprints, and she never authorized the company to collect her fingerprints for this use.
The plaintiff is seeking monetary damages for herself and the proposed class, plus court costs, interest, attorney fees and any other relief the court deems proper. She is also requesting the court to issue an order requiring the defendant to cease the collection of biometric data without informed written consent.
The plaintiff is represented by the attorneys of Beaumont Costales, LLC in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000231