Two former tax preparers are suing H&R Block Inc., claiming the company’s practice of requiring tax preparers to complete 24 hours of unpaid training between tax seasons is a violation of federal law.

Barbara Petroski and Cathy Camden, both of Columbia, filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. They are seeking unpaid wages for the training as well as liquidated damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, according to their attorneys.

The suit says Kansas City-based H&R Block requires its tax professionals to complete 24 hours of unpaid, mandatory training after each tax season to be eligible to prepare tax returns for the company the next tax season. It claims the company’s refusal to pay tax preparers at least minimum wage for the training time is a violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
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