Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
International

Judge: Chipotle's Social Media Policy Violates Us Labour Laws

The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2016 11:54 AM
    HAVERTOWN, Pa. — An administrative judge found Chipotle's social media policy violated federal labour laws while ruling in favour of a Philadelphia-area employee who was fired after criticizing the company on Twitter last year.
     
    The Colorado-based fast-food chain must offer to rehire 38-year-old James Kennedy and pay him for lost wages, the judge ruled Monday. Kennedy worked at the chain's store in Havertown until he was fired in February 2015 and now has a union job with American Airlines.
     
    "If you want to tweet something about your personal experience at your job, do it," Kennedy told Philly.com on Tuesday. "A lot of times your bosses will sugarcoat what's going on. Doing it publicly really puts the spotlight on them."
     
    The social media post that landed Kennedy in hot water came after a customer tweeted thanks for a free food offer in January 2015.
     
    "@ChipotleTweets, nothing is free, only cheap #labour. Crew members make only $8.50hr how much is that steak bowl really?" Kennedy tweeted in response.
     
    Kennedy took down the tweet after a supervisor showed him a social media policy that banned "disparaging, false" statements about Chipotle. But he was fired two weeks later after circulating a petition about workers being unable to take breaks.
     
    Kennedy, of Upper Darby, was represented by the Pennsylvania Workers Organizing Committee, which has pushed for higher pay for fast-food workers. The National Labor Relations Board agreed with complaints filed by the group that Kennedy was unfairly treated. The case was one of several the NLRB considered regarding the social media rights of fast-food workers protesting wages and working conditions.
     
     
    At a hearing, Kennedy's manager testified that she fired Kennedy, a war veteran, because she was concerned he would become violent after arguing with her about the petition.
     
    Administrative law judge Susan Flynn ruled Chipotle's social media rules violated labour laws and ordered the restaurant to post signs acknowledging some of its employee policies — and especially the social media rules — were illegal.
     
    A Chipotle spokeswoman didn't respond to Philly.com's report and didn't immediately return an email from The Associated Press on Wednesday.
     
    Kennedy said he'd happily accept his back wages in the form of food vouchers.
     
    "You cannot deny that their food is delicious, but their labour policies were atrocious," he said.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, Michelle Obama Team Up To Promote Education For Women, Girls

    Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, Michelle Obama Team Up To Promote Education For Women, Girls
     The meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama wasn't the only mutual admiration society on display Thursday in Washington.

    Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, Michelle Obama Team Up To Promote Education For Women, Girls

    Dubai Official Warns Of 'Clash Of Civilizations' Over Donald Trump

    Trump said he wouldn't stoop to being "politically correct" by avoiding such statements.

    Dubai Official Warns Of 'Clash Of Civilizations' Over Donald Trump

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video
    Robert Hall and John Ridsdel — along with a Norwegian man and a Filipino woman — were kidnapped from a resort by members of Abu Sayyaf

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky
    he best of America's spring produce, with a little help from some Canadian whisky, will feature heavily on the menu for the state dinner Thursday night to mark Justin Trudeau's first prime ministerial visit to the U.S.

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump
    Trump, 69, maintained that the war was against radical Islam, but said, "it's very hard to define. It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who."

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump

    Donald Trump's Positions On Trade, Alliances Could Roil Asia Ties

    With characteristic brashness, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has staked out uncompromising positions on Asia policy that could potentially roil U.S. relations with the region if he won the White House.

    Donald Trump's Positions On Trade, Alliances Could Roil Asia Ties