A former employee has taken legal action against a New York-based community service organization, alleging violations of labor laws. On February 28, 2026, Shantasia Drummond filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against her former employer, Institute For Community Living Inc. The lawsuit accuses the organization of failing to pay due overtime wages and other labor law violations.
According to the complaint, Drummond was employed by the Institute For Community Living Inc. from November 14, 2023, to January 12, 2026. During her tenure as an assistant providing support and assistance at the organization’s residence, she claims to have worked approximately 50 to 60 hours per week without receiving appropriate overtime compensation for hours exceeding forty per week. Her regular hourly wage was $19.81, but she alleges that she was not compensated at the legally required rate of 1.5 times her regular pay for overtime hours as mandated by both federal and state laws.
Drummond’s lawsuit is grounded in alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL). She asserts that the defendant failed to provide necessary wage notices and statements as required by NYLL §195(1) and §195(3), which deprived her of crucial information about her earnings and work hours. This lack of transparency allegedly prevented her from realizing her entitlement to additional wages and advocating for herself sooner.
In addition to unpaid wages, Drummond also seeks reimbursement for expenses incurred during her employment such as cellphone usage costs which were not covered by the employer—a violation under FLSA and NYLL including NYLL §193 regarding unlawful wage deductions.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court including unpaid overtime wages, maximum liquidated damages, prejudgment interest, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of action pursuant to both federal and state labor laws. Furthermore, she requests declaratory judgment recognizing these violations by the defendant along with injunctive relief compelling compliance with relevant statutory requirements.
Representing Drummond is Abdul Hassan Law Group PLLC with attorney Abdul K. Hassan leading the case. The presiding judge over this matter is yet unnamed in Case ID: 1:26-cv-01676.
Source: 126cv01676_Shantasia_Drummond_v_Institute_for_Community_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
