The House of Prime Rib, one of San Francisco’s most popular and beloved restaurants, is facing a class action lawsuit filed by former employees for alleged labor law violations, including denying breaks. This is the second case in as many months.
As the SF Business Times reports, former Prime Rib congressman Sean Hiatt has accused the restaurant and its longtime owner, Joseph Betts, of multiple labor law violations and culture. , and filed a lawsuit against his son and co-owner Stephen Betts. Tough working hours with no breaks allowed.
The lawsuit alleges that front desk staff were told that they were not allowed breaks during their shifts, and that managers “aggressively encouraged employees to take breaks or be seen sitting down and face disciplinary action.” “obstructed, discouraged, and warned.” Not actively working at any time during shift. ”
Employees were also asked to sign a waiver exempting them from meal breaks, and were told by management that “if an employee chooses to take a meal break, the tip will go to someone else.” There is.
California law requires employees who work more than five hours a day to get a 30-minute paid meal break; If the number of employees is less than 100%, the break may be waived by mutual consent.
A 10-minute break every four hours is also mandatory.
The lawsuit also alleges that employees were required to wait for up to an hour in some cases to collect their tips after clocking out, while their tips were being calculated, and after their shift. And during that time, the lawsuit alleges, workers were given work to do overtime.
Hyatt said Stephen Betts told employees at a staff meeting, “If you don’t like the way things are done here, that’s the door.”
Joe Betts denied the charges to the Chronicle and said he had not yet seen the lawsuit.
“This is a complete fabrication,” Betts told the paper. “We’re definitely going to protect ourselves.”
Hyatt, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of about 100 current and former front desk employees, may have been encouraged by a similar lawsuit in the past that ended in a settlement two months ago.
As the Business Times reports, the lawsuit was filed in April 2023 by another former employee and is also a class action lawsuit alleging similar violations. All non-exempt employees who worked through January 31, 2019 are eligible. A private settlement was reportedly reached in October 2024.
A lawsuit filed by a former busboy in 2005 alleging similar violations resulted in a small settlement.
House of Prime Rib operates nightly like a well-orchestrated cruise ship dining room, seating 280 across five rooms and serving approximately 800 guests on a typical night. Masu.
Before, during, and after the pandemic, it was one of the most difficult reservations to get. However, if you set up notifications in OpenTable, you can usually cancel them. You can also try calling, as they actually employ telephone receptionists. And when Betts announced it would reopen in October 2020 due to the pandemic, customers flocked to tables and made reservations months in advance. However, once indoor dining was shut down again, HOPR had to close again until spring 2021 and switch to takeout.
Mr. Betts, 85, has run the restaurant since 1985, but as the awning outside indicates, it first opened in 1949. Its signature dish is prime rib, which is aged for 21 days and served cut from Zeppelin carts in each dining room. Along with a concise list of aspects.
Photo via Instagram
