Hooter's former employee sues them over weight discrimination....unbelievable!

Sue-n-Kevin

"The suit alleges Hooters violated a civil rights act, which bars employers from discriminating on the basis of weight and height - the only such state law in the country.
Cassandra Smith, 20, has worked at the Hooters in Roseville for two years.
During an annual employee review, Smith said two women from the company's headquarters in Atlanta joined her bosses via conference call.
Smith said she was complimented on her attitude and customer service skills, but that during her uniform evaluation the women mentioned that her shirt and short size could use some improvement.
Smith said she is 5 feet 8 inches tall and 132 pounds and is completely comfortable with herself." ( I should say so.....I weigh more than that and I'm only 5'2")"The company's uniforms are offered in small, extra small and double-extra small."

Rest of article here:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/23656598/detail.html

I SO hope she wins!

jodyk23

The article I read also said she is 13 pounds less than she was when hired in 2008!

Kelki

Ridiculous!  This story made MSN's homepage. Hooter's is really gonna get some bad press over this...anyone think Gloria Allred contacted the Hooter's girl yet?

jennifer0124

Weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan so depending on the entire story she might have a case.  However, I'd bet Hooters could fight it stating it's a qualification of the position.

morticia7867

You have to wonder what the people in corporate look like....just wondering )

aprillm730

I heard this on Mojo in the Morning the other day and at that time Hooters was saying they can get away with this because the girls are hired in as "entertainers" and not waitresses... I don't know what that's all about but I just heard it on the radio.

This whole thing is ridiculous - I saw her - she's totally fit!

Sue-n-Kevin

You have to wonder what the people in corporate look like....just wondering )

I had the same thought. They are comparing them to the Rockettes, who ARE entertainers. I think it's pretty clear to see that there is a significant difference between women lined up in a chorus line who should be about the same height and weight with women who are waiting on men in a bar, who are eating fatty wings and drinking beer, who are also probably SIGNIFICANTLY in the obese category in comparison to this employee.

emarston1

Wow 5'8" and 132?  So she's my body type.  Good to know that I would be fired from Hooters -- good thing I don't need a part time job at the moment.  That's ridiculous.

gailpete

I saw an interview with the store manager and he is easily 300 lbs!  Talk about double standard.

thecatsfancy

^ And Liz is TEENY (in a good way, of course)!

Oops...that was supposed to be under emarston.

emarston1

I get that they have a certain "image" to maintain but really?  I mean come on, this is just ridiculous.  Especially since she had worked at another Hooters with no complaints (or from what I remember of the article.)  So clearly this is probably just an issue with that particular restauarant management.

But on a related note, didn't they lose the lawsuit a few years ago from a small chested girl who claimed discrimination?

boogerbearoriginal

I'm gonna voice an unpopular opinion and say that while its crappy that at an annual review she was told whatever she was told about her appearance, I think its a pretty frivolous lawsuit. 1. She wasn't fired according to the article she was put on probation and 2. its Hooters - she chose to work at a chain that makes its money on objectifying women and that only hires pretty, big-chested, thin, young women as waitstaff.

Now, obviously I hope, I don't support their whole image/message of women as entertainment for men but she knew that was the type of environment that she was choosing to work for the past 2 years. Basically IMO its a waste of the court's time to hear a case like this even though I don't necessarily agree with the company and their policies.