hollywood raw food shop---
my friend ### reported LFO still pays minimum wage and works people like slaves (his friends work there and he is a friend of jean louis, who on surface is super nice, but got really mean to me when i tried to suggest we follow the labor law and give breaks and pay overtime)
sketch report on the methadology. annie jubb was was quite rude to me over my trying to defend the concept of breaks, overtime, and respecting the kitchen workers.
letter to investor and designer xavier llongueras who promised me 15$/hr and a managerial role:
my brother thought it would be a good idea to let you know about the shop.
i gave notice to annie on friday 1-22-10
several factors were at play---some of them personal and some related to the organization of the store.
i want you to know----and think it goes without saying bc i feel our connection is so intense---that i will always be a friend and feel very honored to know you and your family.
the situations regarding communication, management, organization could use oversight.
my attempts to help were met with disdain and chastisement and accusation.
nobody got paid for three weeks (me and jonathan)---actually closer to four given the second check coming on 1-22-09 (we started 12-28)--- and then two weeks (jose and effrain and laurel started a bit later) and then
annie wrote confusing checks saying 16.45 hours for 110$ and 25 hours for 120$
and with my best spanish i attempted to explain that we will
be paid in accordance with the law
and when i tried to help compile hours and overtime (keep in mind i have been studying labor law for years as well as business law) to be helpful
jl jumped my case and told me i'm not an accountant, there will be no overtime----
and annie blamed me for inciting anxiety---which was untrue---as everyone was worried about not getting paid and being underpaid and having hours cut off the check.
annie admitted to cutting hours off the second check for breaks we didn't take---so i think this is happening to other people as well---and i wish that she knew that this could cause severe penalties if she does not correct the figures.
management must document and enforce all breaks.
the kitchen has been working with no breaks and working overtime.
her accountant told her to deduct for breaks.
this is effectively doctoring the books---to make it look like the company is in compliance with labor law.
this is not sufficient.
all the blogging work i did at home was obviously unappreciated as well.
i think 10/hr is not enough for me. if you remember we discussed a more adequate wage as well as managerial role. i think what they want is someone to do managerial things but not be paid at a managerial rate---but bc they get mad if i try to set up systems for labor law compliance, communication, proper regular payment and compliance with overtime law----this is obviously a waste of my intelligence.
if there is ever anything i can do for you let me know
and i hope your family in europe is at peace.
because you are invested in this project---my brother is right to suggest that i should let you know what is going on----
and by the way i think paying the spanish cooks 8/hr is racist.
jonathan told me they tried to pay him less than minimum wage last summer.
that's pretty scary.
i will pick up my final check tomorrow and hope annie can show my payroll documentation for where my tax withholdings have gone.
i have been paid 413$ so far on handwritten checks for 89 hours of work.
as you can imagine . . .this is not enough to live in LA or be drained of my spiritual energy.
the value of nutritional knowledge seems unnoticed as well.
sure they can get someone in for minimum wage---but will they be able to upsell large purchases of supplementation? and navigate all the issues of allergies, veganfood, raw prep etc.
the public face of the business is very impt and that is why all workers should be treated well or the energy will be disrupted.
it is not fair trade.
if i am not properly paid for my final wages (within 72 hours of notice) i will have no problem seeking outside help and feel that it might be a great learning experience as to the particularities of CA labor law. my knowledge is what would have made me an asset to the company, but being disrespected and having high turnover and underpaid employees speaks doom.
i almost know you would agree and feel that you might have been able to fix the many misunderstandings but i know your family needs you right now.
contact me if you ever need anything--or if you need help packing for europe---i would help you in any way i could
i offer this report in consideration of the humanity of the workers
in consideration of your investment
and to thank you for your good will
mary eng
1-24-10
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