Spencer v. Pandora Ventures: Washington Pay Posting Settlement

How much someone receives can depend on the number of separate job postings they applied to and the final distribution of the fund.

• The notice lists an estimated payment of $3,290.04 for the person receiving this notice.
• The actual amount is not guaranteed. Each person who stays in the settlement is eligible for an equal share of the Class Fund for each separate job posting they applied to during the class period.
• Payments are described as non-wage damages and will be reported on a 1099.

Keeping your contact information current is important because the notice says you may not receive payment if the administrator does not have your current mailing address.

• No claim form is described in the notice.
• If you do not exclude yourself and the settlement receives final approval, the payment will be mailed to you.
• You need to make sure the Settlement Administrator has your current mailing address. You can contact the administrator or send the enclosed Address Form by mail or email.
• The notice also lets you use the Login ID and PIN in your notice to change your preferred payment method by December 14, 2026.

The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2027, at 9:00 A.M., but that hearing date is not a payment date.

• The Court must first approve the settlement.
• Payments are to be sent only after appeals and any other reviews have finished.
• The notice does not provide a specific payment date.
• A payment becomes void if it is not used within 180 days after it is issued.

Leaving the settlement is the option for someone who wants to keep the right to pursue the released claims separately. It also means giving up any payment from this settlement.

• Excluding yourself means you will not receive a settlement payment and will not be bound by the settlement’s release of claims.
• To exclude yourself, mail a signed and dated letter to the Settlement Administrator, postmarked by December 14, 2026.
• The letter must include your full name, address, and a statement that you want to be excluded.
• You cannot exclude yourself by phone or email, and each person must submit their own request.

In practical terms, staying in the settlement prevents you from bringing or joining another case against the released parties over the claims this settlement resolves.

• If you stay in the settlement and it is approved, you give up the released claims relating to the alleged Washington pay-transparency violation during the Settlement Class Period.
• The release covers the defendants and the other Released Parties identified in the Settlement Agreement.
• The notice says participation does not waive claims outside that release.
• A person who timely excludes themselves is not subject to the release.

You do not have to attend the Final Approval Hearing for the Court to consider a timely written objection that meets the notice requirements.

• You may object only if you remain in the Settlement Class; you cannot both exclude yourself and object.
• A written objection must be filed with the Court by December 14, 2026.
• You must also mail copies of the objection and any supporting documents to Class Counsel and Defendants’ counsel by that date.
• The notice lists specific information that a valid objection must contain, including your contact information, reasons for objecting, and signature.

These requested amounts are paid from the settlement fund, not separately stated as payments to class members.

• The total Common Fund is $1,990,000.
• Class Counsel intend to seek up to $663,333.33 for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses from the Settlement Fund.
• The Plaintiff intends to seek a $25,000 service award from the Settlement Fund.
• The Court decides what amounts, if any, to award and may award less than requested.