2 Stella's execs on indefinite leave after harassment, abuse allegations from workers

Two executives from Stella's Cafe are on anindefinite leave of absencefrom a Winnipeg restaurant chain dogged by allegations of workplace harassment.

Grant Anderson,vice-president of operations, and Brad Burrows, regional manager, have been removed fromtheir positions, effective immediately,to ensure the integrity of the independentinvestigation, said a statement released bythe company's owners Monday afternoon.

In the meantime, an interim director of operations has been assigned, the company said.

Stella's decided to closeitsSherbrookStreet location at 3 p.m. on Monday for a staff meeting, the statement said.The Sherbrooklocation one of several in the Winnipeg chain known for its breakfasts will also be closed on Tuesday.

Last week,Instagram account "Not My Stella's"begandetailing anonymouscomplaints including sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying and a culture where employees were discouragedfrom coming forward.

The removal of Anderson and Burrows was one of five demandsissued at a Saturday news conference, with three of the 12 creators of the Instagram account ChristinaHajjar, 27, Kelsey Wade, 22, and AmandaMurdock, 36. The group includes present and past employees.

Another of the creators, former Stella's manager Sara Barsky, said on Monday that a leave of absence is not good enough.

"We are excited to see a few tangible steps when it comes to our demands, but we definitely are still calling for all our demands to be met," Barksy said.

"We don't believe a leave of absence is enough. We want final dismissals from the company."

The group has also called for apublic apology, said Stella's should pay for mental health services for those affectedand the creation of a human resources department within the company.

"We want the ownership of Stella's to publicly acknowledge the harm they've done, and be transparent and accountable when it comes to that.So far, with all the statements they've put out, they have not owned any of the behaviour," Barsky said.

"They have not taken responsibility for any of their actions. That is so important in the healing process for us and our community."

They do not want people to boycott Stella's restaurants, but rather voicetheir concerns to head office and tipfrontline staff well and in cash.

By Sunday, a post from the account said it received 275 disclosures from current and past employees.

Stella's released a thirdstatement Monday, reaffirming its commitment to developing a safe working environment.

"Weare deeply sorry for the difficult circumstances and we regret and apologize to all those who are hurting," it read.

On Monday, staff and managers were told that People First HR Consultants would handleinvestigations into any complaints.

"We are committed to restoring the trust and confidence of our staff, our valued customers and the entire community," the owners said. "This process will take time, and we recognize that operational changes are needed. We will do everything that we must do to create a respectful, safe and healthy work environment."

Otherallegations publishedon the @NotMyStellas accountinclude groping, suggestive comments and abusiveemployees being transferredto different Stella's restaurants after complaints arose rather than dismissed.

Luke Savard described his Stella's workplaceas an overtly sexualizedculture that left employees feeling anxious and afraid.

"They said we didn't need breaks so I'd be working an eight, nine-hour shift straight without anything so much as a five-minute break," he told CBC News on Saturday, adding he was told he wasn't allowed to drink water in front of customers.

Savardwas also ordered to pay out of his own pocket when a till didn't balance at the end of the night, he said.

"The atmosphere there was just really, really toxic to be in."

No outstanding complaints

The Manitoba Labour Board said there was only one previous complaint against the company, which was made in September, but it had been withdrawn.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission said it is not able to confirm or deny if a complaint has been filed unless the commission investigates a matter and determines it should be referred to a public hearing.

Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health was not available Monday to say whether any complaints had been made.

Former Stella's employees speak out about 'toxic workplace'

6 years ago

Duration 2:43

Three former Stella's Cafe employees behind an online campaign to bring attention to what they call workplace harassment, unfair treatment of staff, racism, and sexual assault at the Winnipeg restaurant chain have outlined what they'd like to see done about their concerns.

With files from Austin Grabish, Holly Caruk and Shane Gibson