Winnipeg restaurant chain Stella’s hires HR firm after complaints from workers
By The Canadian Press
WINNIPEG – A popular Winnipeg restaurant chain says it has hired a human resources firm to review its policies after employees launched a public campaign alleging hostile working conditions and harassment.
In a statement, Stella’s management says it is deeply concerned about the range of serious allegations and complaints that have been brought forward in recent days.
People claiming to be both former and current employees at the chain took their allegations to social media last week under the banner Not My Stella’s.
They allege they were forced to work long hours with no breaks, they were frequently belittled by their supervisors and they had lewd comments directed at them.
Some of the people behind the posts spoke publicly Saturday, saying workers have experienced everything from sexual harassment to unethical working conditions.
The statement from the company says it will roll out enhanced, respectful workplace policies company-wide in the days to come.
“Stella’s is deeply concerned about a range of serious allegations and complaints being brought forward in recent days,” said the statement to CTV Winnipeg. “The safety and security of all Stella’s employees is our immediate priority. We are fully committed to taking every responsible action to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees, and a zero tolerance approach to breaches of respectful workplace policy will be enforced.”
It also said the company will make recommendations to ensure management and staff receive the best training in how to handle complaints of harassment and clarity as to how to safely report complaints.
As part of their review process, the company said it will develop a communications plan for employees and a whistleblower line for workers.
