Labor and Policy: Page 2
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Chipotle starts in-store testing for avocado, makeline robots
The two pieces of equipment, including the Autocado, were developed in conjunction with firms backed by its venture fund.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2024 -
Chuck E. Cheese parent sued over workplace sexual harassment
A 17-year-old employee alleges she was inappropriately touched by a manager over a period of months while working at a West Virginia Chuck E. Cheese.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Sept. 13, 2024 -
Starbucks CEO’s 4-part strategy hinges on coffeehouse roots
In a letter to workers and consumers, Brian Niccol laid out a multipart strategy for revitalizing the chain’s core business in the U.S.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 10, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?
Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
Pinstripes warns of corporate layoffs as losses mount
This workforce reduction is part of the chain’s plan to save $4 million in corporate costs, and follows a series of venue-level cost cutting measures.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 5, 2024 -
5th Circuit tosses DOL’s tip credit final rule
The department’s “80/20” guidance for dual job workers is inconsistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act, the court held.
By Ryan Golden , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 27, 2024 -
Pennsylvania restaurant must pay $1.3M in back wages, withheld tips
The DOL found the operator of a La Tolteca Authentic Mexican Restaurant violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by creating an illegal tip pool. A federal judge agreed.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 23, 2024 -
Judge strikes down FTC noncompete ban nationwide
The ruling comes just 15 days prior to the ban’s Sept. 4 effective date.
By Ryan Golden • Aug. 21, 2024 -
What Starbucks’ new CEO choice could mean for the company
Analysts predicted new products and advertising would be immediate points of emphasis for incoming CEO Brian Niccol, with major changes looming on the horizon.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 14, 2024 -
IHOP owner agrees to pay $40K to settle claim it denied worker Sundays off for religious observance
An IHOP general manager allegedly told staff the worker thought it was more important to go to church than to pay bills.
By Ginger Christ • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Ex-Starbucks manager who alleged she was ‘wrongly accused of racism’ may amend discrimination claims
A New Jersey judge sided with Starbucks, noting that some of the plaintiff’s claims were barred by statutes of limitations.
By Ryan Golden • Aug. 6, 2024 -
Michigan Supreme Court moves to eliminate tipped subminimum wage
The court rejected a legislative procedure used to weaken labor law reforms in 2018, but adopt-and-amend tactics held the tipped subminimum wage steady for six years.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 1, 2024 -
Chipotle’s advanced equipment strategy takes a step forward
The fast casual giant said its avocado processing machine and automated digital makeline are in the final steps before in-restaurant testing.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 26, 2024 -
How Chipotle boosted traffic 8%
Limited-time offers and increased labor deployment grew Chipotle’s transactions and throughput in Q2, driving same-store sales up by 11%.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 25, 2024 -
Blaze Pizza franchisee slapped with $277K child labor fine
The U.S. Department of Labor found the 10-unit franchisee violated child labor laws related to 28 workers under the age of 18.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 24, 2024 -
NLRB withdraws 5th Circuit appeal of joint employer final rule injunction
The Board said it would “like the opportunity to further consider the issues identified” in a district court’s injunction while citing other, ongoing legislation relevant to its rulemaking.
By Ryan Golden • Updated July 19, 2024 -
Compass Coffee union vote mired in challenges
The union secured unanimous support among unchallenged voters, but the vast majority of ballots must be adjudicated by the NLRB.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 17, 2024 -
Zaxby’s faces lawsuit for allegedly refusing to accommodate pregnant teen
A manager allegedly told the plaintiff to work in the restaurant’s hot kitchen and fired her because she asked to be reassigned, according to the complaint.
By Laurel Kalser • July 17, 2024 -
DC restaurant to pay $525K in wage theft settlement
Swahili Village will pay about $260,000 in back wages to more than 70 workers after Washington, D.C.’s attorney general alleged the restaurant failed to pay minimum wage.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 16, 2024 -
FTC takes aim at undisclosed franchising fees
The agency also said policies that keep franchisees from reporting potentially illegal business practices to regulators are against the law.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 15, 2024 -
NYC delivery worker earnings up 22%
Decreases in consumer tips and total employment were more than offset by sharp rises in base pay, according to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 15, 2024 -
OSHA proposes rule to protect workers from extreme heat
The standard would require employers to provide water and rest breaks when high heat creates a hazardous work environment.
By Zachary Phillips , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 2, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Compass Coffee responds to union drive with mass hiring
The union plans to challenge the voter eligibility of scores of workers the Washington, D.C.-based chain added to its roster ahead of a scheduled mid-July election.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 28, 2024 -
Panera faces potential class-action lawsuit over data breach involving employee information
Corporate files were accessed during a security incident in March, but workers weren’t informed about sensitive data being exposed until June, the lawsuit claims.
By Carolyn Crist • June 28, 2024 -
California adopts rule limiting indoor workplace heat exposure
Employers will have to provide workers with cool down spaces and water if the indoor temperature or heat index cracks 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 27, 2024