Morel

I. BACKGROUND

25 Plaintiff Matthew Morel brings this class action for alleged failure to reimburse work 26 expenses under California’s Labor Code section 2802(a), unfair business practices under 27 California’s Business and Professions Code section 17200 et seq., and violation of the 28 Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (“PAGA”). (Compl., Doc. No. 1-2.) Morel alleges that between January 4, 2021, and July 20, 2021, Defendant employed Morel as Project Controls Manager for Defendant’s company, which provides engineering services. (Id. ¶ 17.) During this time, Defendant allegedly “was Plaintiff’s ‘employer,’ and [Morel] was its ‘employee’ as defined by California law.” (Id. ¶ 7.) In his first cause of action, Morel alleges Defendant violated California Labor Code section 2802(a) by failing to reimburse Morel and the putative class after requiring Morel and the putative class to use their personal cell phones, internet access, and data plans to perform their work duties. (Id. ¶¶ 38–40.) Additionally, Morel alleges Defendant failed to reimburse Morel and the putative class for expenses and loss related to home office space,…