Labor and Policy: Page 34
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ADA lawsuits target physical gift cards
Starbucks appears to be the only major restaurant retailer that provides gift cards with Braille, according to a growing number of ADA-based lawsuits.
By Lauren Manning • Nov. 22, 2019 -
Class action suit alleges McDonald's manager groped, shoved employee
At the heart of the allegations is McDonald's status as a franchisor, and the consequences that may hold for workers.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 15, 2019 -
Grubhub threatened with legislative action if it doesn't fix phone order issues
In response, the delivery company is creating a third-party task force to address restaurant complaints about unfair charges for diner calls from Grubhub channels.
By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 14, 2019 -
DoorDash delivery workers earn 12.5% more on average under new pay model
Overall Dasher earnings including tips rose $1.30 in October, the platform's first full month under the payment system, according to a company blog post.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 13, 2019 -
Subway enforcing 20-year lease agreements to stem store closures, NY Post reports
Franchisees told the publication those who don't renew their five-year leases must complete a corporate questionnaire to try and find replacement operators.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 11, 2019 -
Buffalo Wild Wings to conduct sensitivity training following alleged racist incident
The company's response appears to borrow from the playbook of employers that have faced similar incidents, like Starbucks.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 8, 2019 -
Chipotle expands employee benefits to focus on mental well-being
The chain's employees and family now have access to personalized assistance from healthcare experts and financial counseling even if they're not enrolled in the company's medical plan.
By Alicia Kelso • Nov. 6, 2019 -
White Starbucks manager fired after Philly incident alleges race bias
The suit follows one of the most significant case studies of corporate social responsibility and HR management in recent history.
By Ryan Golden • Nov. 5, 2019 -
Taco Bell franchisee pays $225K for allegedly requesting too much info from green card holders
It's important to remember that employers cannot impose different or more stringent employment requirements on the basis of citizenship status or national origin.
By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 28, 2019 -
Predictive scheduling laws — meant to protect workers — appear to be working
Restaurants should take compliance seriously, as treating employees unfairly could turn off diners that are increasingly concerned about workplace culture, according to the Harvard Business Review.
By Riia O'Donnell , Kate Tornone , Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 21, 2019 -
Arkansas Pei Wei ignored complaints of managers' sexual harassment, EEOC alleges
The sexually hostile work environment the managers created forced two workers to quit, the agency alleged in its lawsuit.
By Riia O'Donnell • Oct. 21, 2019 -
Chipotle dishes up degree program to prepare workers for '21st century' jobs
Unlike its guacamole, the benefit will come at no cost. The restaurant will cover 100% of tuition costs for 75 types of business and technology degrees.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett , Katie Clarey • Oct. 17, 2019 -
Domino's franchisee delivers $800K settlement in drivers' underpayment suit
The settlement highlights a number of concerns — including tip credits and uniform deductions — that employers should note.
By Jennifer Carsen • Oct. 15, 2019 -
Starbucks expands family planning benefits to cover surrogacy, insemination
The additional reimbursement comes just a month after the coffee chain expanded its mental health benefits.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 9, 2019 -
Domino's ADA ruling to spur industry compliance
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear an appeal from the pizza chain regarding accessibility issues with its website could open up other companies to similar lawsuits, critics say.
By Alicia Kelso • Oct. 8, 2019 -
DOL takes a second swing at tip credit, pooling regs
The proposal would allow employers who do not take a tip credit against the minimum wage to operate a tip pool that includes employees who don't traditionally receive tips.
By Kate Tornone • Oct. 7, 2019 -
Worker alleges Taco Bell fired him for refusing to lie his way out of jury duty
An exception to the "employment at will" doctrine protects employees who refuse to participate in an illegal act, court documents noted.
By Lisa Burden • Oct. 7, 2019 -
BREAKING: DOL finalizes $35K overtime threshold
The update takes effect Jan. 1 and is perhaps one of the most anticipated rulemakings from DOL.
By Ryan Golden • Sept. 24, 2019 -
Taco Bell lawsuit reflects tech's ADA challenges
A federal lawsuit was filed against Taco Bell last week claiming the company's late-night drive-thru only service is discriminatory against people who can't drive because of sight impairments.
By Alicia Kelso • Sept. 16, 2019 -
Noodles & Company introduces financial wellness benefits to attract and retain talent
When organizations provide their workers financial assistance, they not only help their staff, but they also help their bottom lines, multiple reports have shown.
By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 16, 2019 -
Philadelphia chains required to add salt warnings to menus
Restaurants with 15 or more locations must now label items with high sodium content in a move by the city to try to curb high rates of hypertension.
By Lauren Manning • Sept. 16, 2019 -
Additional labor complaints filed against Chipotle in NYC
Two weeks after New York sued the fast casual chain over Fair Workweek violations, employees from five more locations are filing complaints that the chain failed to provide 14 days notice of schedules.
By Alicia Kelso • Updated Sept. 24, 2019 -
Starbucks to roll out 'enhanced' mental health benefits
The chain's aim to boost these offerings includes mental health training for store managers, employee subscriptions to meditation and sleep app Headspace.
By Riia O'Donnell • Sept. 9, 2019 -
DoorDash, Uber and Lyft commit $90M to oppose California independent contractor bill
The argument these companies make for the flexibility of gig work comes as contract work becomes a more common way of making a living.
By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • Sept. 4, 2019 -
Deep Dive
How 5 Bay Area restaurateurs are surviving rising operating costs
Real estate pressures and a chef shortage are forcing restaurants to find creative solutions — like covering workers' Uber rides and having chefs serve diners — to protect their bottom lines and retain talent.
By Rosie Bradbury • Sept. 3, 2019