Earlier this year, a woman in Pennsylvania was expecting to get her first paycheck from her new job at McDonald’s, but rather than an envelope containing cash or a check, she received a prepaid debit card from Chase. This did not go over well.

When she asked her boss about the card — which has fees like a $1.50 ATM charge, a $5 charge for over-the-counter cash withdrawals, $1 per balance inquiry, and $.75 for online bill payment — she was told it was the only option. And so she took her issue to the franchisees, who she says confirmed that she had no choice but to take the card.

And so she quit her job and found an attorney, who has subsequently filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the single mom and other employees. The plaintiffs allege that the debit card requirement allows the franchisee to earn “ill-gotten gains contrary to justice, equity, good conscience and Pennsylvania law.”

Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law (PDF) states that employees are to be paid their wages on a regular basis and that “The wages shall be paid in lawful money of the United States or check.” The plaintiffs contend that a prepaid debit card is neither cash nor a check.

“I need to receive all the money I earn,” says the former McDonald’s worker, who had been making only about $7.44/hour. “I can’t afford to lose even a few dollars per paycheck. I just think people should be paid fairly and not have to pay fees to get their wages.”

For its part, the franchisees say they value their employees and “are committed to providing them the best possible work environment so they can deliver the fast, reliable service that our customers expect.”

McD’s worker sues: Don’t pay by debit card [Philly.com]