Lawsuit: Capital Grille Denied Opportunities To Minority Workers

January 31, 2012 10:47 AM

(Credit: AP)

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CHICAGO (CBS) — The company that owns the Capital Grille is being sued for allegedly mistreating employees.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports, the lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court Monday by workers’ advocacy group Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, against Darden Restaurants Inc.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports

The lawsuit says minority workers at the Capital Grille do not have the same opportunities as white employees. Reuters reported Monday that the lawsuit claims white employees are given the better-paying front-of-the-house jobs such as serving and bartending positions, while minority employees are relegated to invisible jobs such as washing dishes and preparing food.

The lawsuit also claims workers at the Capital Grille are forced to work without pay, do not get rest breaks, and have to share their tips with other employees, Reuters reported.

The suit was filed on behalf of Capital Grille employees in Chicago, as well as in New York and in Washington, D.C., Reuters reported.

Capital Grille’s Chicago location is at 633 N. St. Clair St. in the Streeterville neighborhood. There are also suburban locations in Rosemont and Lombard.

Lawsuit: Capital Grille Denied Opportunities To Minority Workers

Afro

forced to work without pay? Get real all this lazy lying whining makes me sick
Pathetic!

Yeah, right, black people were mistreated. Nobody believes these kind of allegations anymore. This isn’t the early 1900′s. I don’t believe these allegations for one second. Besides that, the employer can assign their employees to whatever job assignment they want. They also can promote whoever they deem deserving of it. These people crying racial discrimination are a pathetic bunch!!!

mabel

Seriously? You are ignorant, and I am ashamed that I have to breath the same air as you.

southside

were folks promoted on the basis of their ability to speak the language and follow instructions?

Vicky Kujawa

I have a feeling maybe some of the people relegated to the back can’t speak ENGLISH!!!!!

Jerome

Or maybe they were just black!

Tee Thompson

This is what they get for hiring illegals.
Roberta Waker

They have to share their tips with other employees? What about all the waitresses that have to share their tips with busboys at restaurants? The employers should assign the jobs to the people that can DO the jobs and if they fail to do this, then you might have legal grounds. Remember the saying the boss may not always be right, but the boss is always the boss? If you can’t do the work, leave. If you sue and win, you still lose because the place will have to shut down and EVERYONE will be unemployed. Stop crying and be happy you even have a job.

Afro

Thats just it Roberta it’s the leftest liberals and Unions agenda to put everyone on welfare
Vicky Kujawa

As far as I know, waitresses always share their tips with the buspeople.
cool Jo

In case you didn’t actually go there or work there how can you know whats going on there? The servers there tip out the dishwasher, I have never seen that before. Bussers, bartenders- fine but subsidizing the wages of other non tipped employees while only earning 2.13 hr is unfair. Exactly how much work should the servers have to do anyway? What i mean is, while the restaurant enjoys the benefit of the low wage because the server is earning tips, they should not have to attend to many other duties that do not produce tips. Cleaning bathrooms after hours and taking inventory should be compensated as there is no oppertunity to earn more than 2.13 hr during this time.There are laws about minimum wage for a reason. If allowed corparations like these will always try to get labor for free.This is an example of that Empathy isn’t a flaw, it’s the lack of empathy that is.

Just Axin

Unfortunately, the company will probably pay out just to settle. If not, they’ll find some mopes like Tony or Lyndia who will find them at fault cause they don’t like white people.

cool jo

So u know, I worked there , I am white , and yes they do keep minorities in the back. Many fine men and womenwho use proper grammer ARE NOT given the oppertunities that their white counterparts are afforded. I

Centurion

They may as well file suit against every restaurant in the city. When you go to Chinatown for some moo goo gai pan….Jose is doin the cooking.

Vicky Kujawa

That’s for sure!!!!

juju

maybe, if they learned manners, changed their name to something legible, didn’t shucka and jive walking, and look at my girl like dinner, I would let them out of their cages, uhh.. meant kitchen.