Talkdesk Resolves Washington Pay Transparency Class Action with $2.78M Settlement Fund

Talkdesk Inc. has agreed to establish a class action settlement fund ranging between $1.83 million and $2.79 million to resolve claims that the company omitted mandatory wage scales and benefits descriptions from Washington-related job listings.

Job applicants who applied for open positions at Talkdesk between January 1, 2023, and July 26, 2025, may be eligible to claim up to $5,000 per person. The settlement resolves allegations under the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA), which requires covered employers to proactively disclose starting salary ranges and benefits information in job advertisements. Affected job seekers must file a valid claim form by October 13, 2026, to receive a cash payout.

What Led to the Talkdesk Pay Transparency Lawsuit?

The lawsuit, styled John Milito v. Talkdesk Inc., was filed in Washington state court alleging that Talkdesk failed to include required compensation details on job postings published after Washington’s pay transparency requirements took effect.

Under Washington state law, employers with 15 or more employees must disclose a clear wage scale or salary range, along with a general description of all benefits and other compensation, on every public job posting. The complaint asserted that Talkdesk omitted this crucial information, forcing job seekers to invest time in the application process without knowing whether the positions offered competitive or viable wages. Talkdesk denies any wrongdoing but agreed to the financial settlement to avoid the expense, disruption, and legal risks associated with extended litigation.

How Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act Protects Job Seekers

Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act was updated to correct compensation disparities and foster pay equity across industries by eliminating wage secrecy at the start of the hiring process.

Key aspects of the statutory protections include:

• Mandatory Salary Disclosure: Covered employers must state the minimum and maximum wage or salary range directly within job advertisements.

• Benefits Transparency: Listings must summarize additional compensation, such as bonuses, commissions, stock options, and health or retirement benefits.

• Level Playing Field: By making pay figures transparent up front, the law aims to help job applicants—particularly women and underrepresented groups—negotiate fair starting wages and avoid wasting time on underpaying roles.

Failure to follow these disclosure mandates allows affected job applicants to seek statutory remedies, driving a series of class action cases against employers operating across Washington state.

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim in the Talkdesk Settlement?

You may be eligible to receive a financial payout from the settlement fund if you applied for a job opening with Talkdesk Inc. between January 1, 2023, and July 26, 2025, and met specific Washington geographic criteria.

Specifically, eligible class members include individuals who applied under either of these conditions:

• Washington-Based Postings: You applied for a job opening where the posting indicated you would work in person in Washington state, regardless of where you lived or applied from.

• Washington-Based Applicants: You were based in Washington state at the time and applied for a job listing that included Washington as a potential or allowable work location.

• Missing Salary Ranges: The specific job listing you applied for did not include a wage scale, salary range, or comprehensive compensation description.

Eligibility applies to individuals who submitted applications directly through Talkdesk’s official career site as well as those who applied through authorized third-party job boards and recruiting platforms, provided the posting lacked required pay disclosures.

How Much Money Can Class Members Expect to Receive?

Approved class members who submit a timely and valid claim will receive an equal pro-rata share of the net settlement fund, capped at a maximum of $5,000 per person.

The final individual payment amount depends on the overall number of valid claims submitted:

• Minimum Settlement Guaranteed: Talkdesk will establish a baseline fund of $1,828,288 if 50% or fewer of the approximately 1,114 identified class members participate (557 or fewer claimants).

• Scaled Adjustments: For every participating class member above the 50% mark, Talkdesk will increase the total settlement fund by $1,718 per person, up to a maximum total fund cap of $2,785,000.

• Fund Surplus Cap: If individual payouts calculate to more than $5,000 per claimant, any excess residual funds will be donated to the Legal Foundation of Washington.

Because payments are categorized as nonwage statutory damages, the settlement administrator will issue payouts via paper checks and report them using IRS Form 1099.

Key Deadlines and Fund Distribution Breakdown

The overall settlement fund covers administrative expenses, legal fees, and class representative service awards before distributing remaining funds to approved claimants.

Total Settlement Fund: $1,828,288 – $2,785,000
├── Attorneys' Fees: $821,575
├── Settlement Administration Costs: Up to $25,000
├── Class Representative Service Award: $20,000
├── Attorneys' Expenses: Up to $5,000
└── Net Settlement Fund: Distributed equally among approved claimants (Up to $5,000 each)

Important procedural dates for class members to keep in mind include:

• Claim Filing Deadline: October 13, 2026

• Opt-Out / Exclusion Deadline: October 13, 2026

• Final Approval Hearing: November 20, 2026

Payouts will be issued after the court grants final approval to the agreement and any potential appeals are fully resolved. Settlement checks must be cashed within 120 days of issuance; uncashed funds will be remitted to the State of Washington as unclaimed property.

How to Submit Your Claim and Protect Your Rights

If you received a personalized settlement notice by mail or email, keep it in a safe place. You will need the Unique ID and PIN printed on your notice to complete the online claim submission process quickly.

If you believe you qualify, here is how you can take action before the deadline:

1. Gather Application Details: Retrieve any confirmation emails, cover letters, or application records corresponding to your Talkdesk job application between January 1, 2023, and July 26, 2025.

2. Submit Your Claim Form: Visit the official settlement website to file online using your Unique ID and PIN. Alternatively, you may download, print, and mail a paper PDF claim form to John Milito v. Talkdesk Inc., c/o Simpluris Inc., P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

3. Verify Your Mailing Address: Ensure your current mailing address is accurate on the claim form so your paper check arrives without delay once payouts begin.

Don’t stand alone when holding companies accountable for workplace and transparency standards. If you have questions about your rights or want to learn about similar consumer protection lawsuits, you can connect with an experienced attorney or explore free resources at ClassActionU.org with no cost or obligation to reach out.