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

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

McDonald's urged by local governments to bolster anti-sexual harassment training

More than 100 local officials from 31 states urged the chain to create more stringent workplace policies, and claim that McDonald's workers have filed 50-plus sexual harassment complaints, Reuters reports. 

By Alicia Kelso • Updated Sept. 27, 2019

Postmates introduces 'health care options,' access to college courses for gig workers

Back in July, Postmates CEO Bastian Lehmann expressed support for "a comprehensive approach" to gig workers that removed classification confusion.

By Jennifer Carsen • Aug. 21, 2019

Minneapolis banned drive-thrus. Will more cities follow?

The ban comes two months after Long Beach, California, imposed a six-month moratorium on drive-thrus and as other cities push to reduce carbon emissions and improve pedestrian safety. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2019

Qdoba fined over $400K for child labor law violations

The Massachusetts state attorney's office cited more than 200 cases of minors working past the maximum number of hours in a single shift.

By Rosie Bradbury • Aug. 16, 2019

New York proposes cap on third-party delivery fees

A 10% cap would apply to restaurants with liquor licenses even if they don't deliver alcohol. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 15, 2019

EEOC sues McDonald's franchisee for rejecting applicant over religious beard

The hiring manager told the applicant he would have to shave it to comply with the grooming policy and denied his request to wear a beard net.

By Lisa Burden • July 29, 2019