The number of U.S. workers suing companies including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for failing to pay required overtime has tripped since 1997, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Bloomberg News reports that U.S. workers filed 102 overtime class-action lawsuits in 2003, compared with only 31 in 1997. “Groups that sued included managers with few managerial duties who had been told they were ineligible for time-and-a-half pay after 40 hours,” reported Bloomberg News.

James Rollins, a lawyer in Atlanta, told Bloomberg News that “Alleged misuse of manager titles and forced unpaid overtime have contributed to the litigation increase.”.

(via Bloomberg News)