Partnership Health Facing Six Lawsuits, Accused of Forcing Employees to Work Off Clock

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Six lawsuits have been filed against Partnership Health Center in Missoula by workers contending they were forced to work off the clock without pay, full-time workers being replaced with part-timers who don't get benefits, and an abusive boss.

The Missoulian reports in a story on Sunday that the recent lawsuits have been filed by a physician, dentist, pharmacist and other staff members who earn from $12.36 an hour to $114,000 a year.

Partnership's medical and dental clinic employs about 120 workers who treat the uninsured and underinsured and is a division of the Missoula City-County Health Department. Director Ellen Leahy says she can't comment on pending litigation.

A number of the lawsuits refer Kim Mansch, Partnership's executive director.

The lawsuits describe Mansch as so harsh in her drive to save money that the workplace is intolerable.