Stella’s managers placed on leave

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This article was published 11/11/2018 (2238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two top managers at the popular local restaurant chain Stella’s have been placed on indefinite leaves of absence following a flood of accusations that the company has been engaging in labour and human rights violations for years.

CEO Grant Anderson and regional manager Brad Burrows were both removed from their positions Monday, according to a letter signed by the owners and sent to employees and the media.

“We are deeply sorry for the difficult circumstances and we regret and apologize to all those who are hurting,” wrote Stella’s owners Tore Sohlberg and Lehla Abreder.

“Stella’s is committed to ensuring the integrity of independent, confidential third-party investigation into serious and upsetting allegations and complaints being circulated in our community about our restaurant operations.”

Anderson and Burrows were frequently named on an Instagram account called @notmystellas that has been posting complaints alleging misconduct ranging from labour violations to sexual assault.

That account — which has shared hundreds of personal stories — is being run by 12 current and former employees who have been involved in organizing a push back against Stella’s business practices.

The flurry of accusations was set off by a personal story posted by Christina Hajjar on the one-year anniversary of her firing from the restaurant chain. After she shared her own experience, others quickly stepped forward with similar accounts.

The group behind the Instagram account has alleged that the working conditions at Stella’s were so abusive that the owners should be held responsible for funding mental health services for current and former employees in need.

Instead, in the letter sent to staff Monday, the owners suggested employees struggling with mental health concerns should seek free treatment at Klinic Community Health Centre.

Sara Barsky, a spokesperson for the group, said that amounted to a slap in the face, pointing out that Klinic is an already overburdened community resource. “We are appalled by that suggestion,” Barsky said.

In a written statement, the group said that while it is encouraged by the latest response from Stella’s ownership, it isn’t convinced there will be proper follow through to address the damage that has been done.

The group also said indefinite leaves of absence for Anderson and Burrows will not suffice and that both need to be fired. In addition, the group again called for Stella’s ownership to fund mental health services for past and present employees.

On Monday, the owners also announced that People First HR Consultants has been hired to investigate all complaints and to develop better respectful workplace training and policy.

“We have asked all Stella’s staff and managers to direct complaints and concerns through the confidential process outlined in a letter to them,” the owners wrote.

The owners also suggested that current or former employees with concerns should report them to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission or Manitoba Employment Standards.

The letter announced that the restaurant’s Sherbrook Street location closed as of 3 p.m. Monday and would remain closed through Tuesday for company meetings. The other Stella’s locations remain open.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe

Ryan Thorpe
Reporter

Ryan Thorpe likes the pace of daily news, the feeling of a broadsheet in his hands and the stress of never-ending deadlines hanging over his head.

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