Rover Will Pay $23.5 Million in Walkers’ Misclassification Suit

Some 88,704 pet walkers, sitters, and companions will share an $18 million cash award and get $5.5 million in future benefits under a settlement with online app A Place for Rover Inc. that a federal judge approved Wednesday subject to some amending.

Those who use the platform to connect with clients to provide care, boarding, walking, and other services sued Rover for allegedly misclassifying them as independent contractors in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and California law. The walkers said they weren’t free from control and direction and performed work within Rover’s normal course of business, which made ...