Target Corp. is preparing to cut checks—quietly but decisively—under a Target $4.6 million settlement that will funnel money to thousands of employees after a class-action lawsuit over unpaid wages, according to reports.

Like a slow-moving conveyor belt finally delivering what it promised, the settlement brings financial relief to workers who said time slipped through the cracks at Target’s New Jersey distribution centers.

Why Target Reached a Settlement

The lawsuit focused on Target’s New Jersey distribution hubs, where workers alleged they were not fully paid for time spent walking before and after their shifts—minutes that added up like pennies in a jar over years of work.

Target denied any legal wrongdoing. Still, rather than prolong the courtroom fight, the retail giant agreed to settle, closing the chapter on the wage dispute without admitting fault.

Who Is Eligible for Payments

Roughly 13,700 hourly, non-exempt employees who worked at Target’s New Jersey distribution centers on or after Aug. 6, 2019, are expected to benefit from the settlement.

Payments will be calculated on a pro rata basis, relying on Target’s payroll records. Individual payout amounts have not yet been revealed, but attorney Charles J. Kocher characterized the compensation as “significant,” saying it will offer meaningful relief to affected workers.

How to Receive a Settlement Check

Eligible employees do not need to file claims or complete paperwork. Checks will be issued automatically to workers who received settlement notices and chose not to exclude themselves.

Those who wish to opt out or formally object must do so by Feb. 13. A final approval hearing is set for Feb. 24, and once the court gives the green light, payments will be released.

For thousands of workers, the Target $4.6 million settlement marks the end of a long walk—this time toward compensation rather than controversy.