A federal judge in Pennsylvania denied the collective action for alleged illegal overtime payment policies for a group of social workers on May 31.

U.S. District Judge Marilyn J. Horan of the Western District of Pennsylvania said the plaintiffs failed to make “even a modest factual showing” that the plaintiffs are similarly situated and could not reach the first step for class certification with evidence establishing “a factual nexus between the employees beyond mere speculation,” court records show.