Current:Home > MarketsChipotle to pay nearly $3 million to settle allegations of retaliation against workers -FutureFinance
Chipotle to pay nearly $3 million to settle allegations of retaliation against workers
View
Date:2025-04-14 09:53:48
Chipotle Mexican Grill will pay $2.9 million to 1,853 employees across eight Seattle locations in a settlement over allegations of violating shift changes and sick time regulations.
The food chain will pay an additional $7,308 to the City of Seattle, according to the Seattle Office of Labor Standards. The company will also establish a written Secure Scheduling Ordinance policy offering protections for employees relating to shifts.
"Ensuring workers’ rights, such as secure schedules and paid sick and safe time without the fear of retaliation, should be the norm, not the exception," OLS Director Steven Marchese said in the Thursday news release. "We believe in fundamental fairness in Seattle and that includes accountability when a large corporation such as Chipotle does not follow our labor standards and causes harm to their workers."
The settlement marks the largest SSO settlement since the ordinance began in 2017 and the fourth largest in the office's history, the release added.
With the chain's comprehensive sick leave policy, employees are granted three paid sick days with no waiting period and the average hourly wage of $20.20 for crew members in the 10 Seattle locations, Chipotle Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Laurie Schalow said in a statement.
"We have implemented a number of compliance initiatives, including adding new and improved time keeping technology, to help our restaurants and we look forward to continuing to promote the goals of predictable scheduling and access to work hours for those who want them," Schalow said.
Chipotle accused of retaliating against staff who called out sick
The now-settled investigation was launched in July 2017 after multiple Chipotle workers alleged the company failed to comply with the city's labor standards.
The labor standards office alleged that the company failed to provide premium pay for required schedule changes and maintain records of original work shifts. The chain was also accused of retaliating against an employee who requested to not be scheduled at certain times because of a second job and for declining shift changes made with less than 14 day's notice.
Additionally, the office alleged that Chipotle failed to occur the correct PSST accrual and retaliated against staff who called out sick.
How to file wage theft complaint?
American workers can file private lawsuits or complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor at the federal level or at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries at the state level.
Seattle-based employees can also file a complaint with the Office of Labor Standards.
The food service industry sees more wage theft complaints in Washington than any other industry in the state, according to the Seattle Times.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Queen Rania of Jordan says U.S. is seen as enabler of Israel
- Madonna attracts 1.6M fans for free concert in Brazil to wrap up her Celebration tour
- Man dragged by bear following fatal car crash, Massachusetts state police say
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Abducted 10-month-old found alive after 2 women killed, girl critically injured in New Mexico park
- At least one child killed as flooding hits Texas
- Police close pro-Palestinian encampment at USC; UCLA creates new campus safety office: Updates
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Five things we learned at Miami Grand Prix: Lando Norris’ win will boost Formula 1 in U.S.
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Utah police officer killed in suspected highway hit-and-run, authorities say
- Dallas Stars knock out defending champion Vegas Golden Knights with Game 7 win
- Boy Scout volunteer sentenced to 22 years for hiding cameras in bathrooms in Missouri
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- 'It was quite a show': Escaped zebra caught in Washington yard after 6 days on the run
- Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton Reveal Unexpected Secret Behind Their Sex Scenes
- Auditors can’t locate former St. Louis circuit attorney to complete state audit
Recommendation
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
Berkshire Hathaway has first annual meeting since death of longtime vice chairman Charlie Munger
PWHL’s strong first season coincides with a growing appetite for women’s sports
Why Ryan Gosling Avoids Darker Roles for the Sake of His Family
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Mother's Day brunch restaurants 2024: See OpenTable's top 100 picks for where to treat mom
Columbia University cancels main commencement after protests that roiled campus for weeks
Brian Austin Green’s Ex Vanessa Marcil Slams “Stupid” Criticism Aimed at Megan Fox