[Vancouver Restaurant Fined $27,861 for Discrimination Against Black Teen Employee]
A Vancouver restaurant has been hit with a fine of $27,861 by B.C.’s Human Rights Tribunal for engaging in discriminatory practices against a young Black employee. The restaurant, Heirloom, was found guilty of subjecting the girl to a toxic work environment that was rooted in racial and gender bias.
According to the tribunal’s decision, the employee, identified as AB, started working at Heirloom when she was just 13 years old. Initially hired as a dishwasher, she later took on roles as a counter server and juicer. However, AB’s experience at the restaurant took a negative turn when she began facing unwarranted suspicion and harsh treatment from her manager, Nicolas Stone.
AB filed a complaint after enduring six months of mistreatment at Heirloom in 2019. The tribunal ruled in her favor, stating that the restaurant and Stone had discriminated against her based on her race and sex. It further noted that the treatment AB received was in line with harmful stereotypes often faced by Black women, fostering a hostile work environment for the young girl.
Among AB’s allegations were claims that Stone accused her of theft, demoted her, and treated her particularly harshly due to her identity as a Black girl. However, Stone denied the accusations, asserting that any concerns he raised were related to AB’s job performance and were not discriminatory in nature. Heirloom’s owner, William Greer, also claimed that AB’s resignation was her own decision and not a result of any discriminatory treatment she faced.
The tribunal found that Heirloom had failed in its responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive environment for AB, especially considering her young age. It highlighted instances where Stone singled AB out for cash shortages, despite other employees working on the same counter. AB perceived these conversations as intimidating, given the power dynamics at play. Furthermore, the tribunal concluded that Stone’s heightened suspicion and scrutiny towards AB were reflective of harmful stereotypes that Black individuals are prone to theft, and Black children are perceived as more mature and less innocent.
AB’s mistreatment ultimately led her to resign from Heirloom. The tribunal emphasized that she would not have made this decision had it not been for the inhospitable and poisoned work environment created by Stone’s actions. As a result, Heirloom and Stone have been ordered to pay AB $27,861 in fines and compensation. This includes wages lost due to discrimination, expenses incurred, and damages to her dignity, feelings, and self-respect.
The ruling serves as a reminder that discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable, especially when it targets vulnerable individuals such as young employees. It underlines the importance of creating an environment that is free from discrimination and prejudice, ensuring the well-being of all employees, regardless of their race or gender.
