Retail giant Target Corp. has agreed to a $4.6 million settlement to resolve a class action filed by roughly 13,700 warehouse team members who alleged the company failed to compensate them for time spent walking from facility entrances to time clocks before starting their shifts.

The workers, represented by lead plaintiff Krystal Sadler, filed an unopposed motion on Friday urging a New Jersey federal judge to grant preliminary approval to the settlement — describing it as the fairest and most efficient resolution to a lawsuit that has spanned nearly three years.

The Case Behind the Settlement

The case began in November 2022, when Sadler first sued Target in state court, accusing the retailer of violating New Jersey wage and hour laws. Target moved the case to federal court in January 2023, where class certification was later granted in January 2025.

According to court filings, the workers claimed Target required them to spend several minutes daily walking from the warehouse entrances to their time clocks — time they said was essential to their job duties and thus compensable.

The proposed settlement covers all “progression team” members employed at Target’s New Jersey distribution centers since August 6, 2019.

A Long Road to Resolution

The breakthrough came during an in-person settlement conference in June, following years of litigation and negotiation. If approved, the deal will cover attorney fees of about $1.5 million, $300,000 for litigation costs, and a $10,000 service award for Sadler’s role in leading the case.

“This impactful class settlement is significant both in amount and scope, as it gives meaningful relief to over 13,000 Target warehouse workers reaching back to 2019,”
said Charles J. Kocher of McOmber McOmber & Luber PC, one of the attorneys representing the workers.

Legal Teams and Next Steps

The employees are represented by Kocher, Tyler J. Burrell, and Gaetano J. DiPersia of McOmber McOmber & Luber PC, while Target is defended by Rebecca J. Rosen of Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC.

Target has not yet issued a public statement regarding the settlement.

If the agreement receives final approval, the payout will close a years-long legal battle and serve as a reminder that even minutes of unpaid labor can add up to millions in liability for major employers.