A world-famous Napa Valley restaurant favored by Gov. Gavin Newsom is going through labor complaints after former workers accused it of wage violations, missed breaks, and off-the-clock work.
The French Laundry, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Yountville, is now going through three labor lawsuits filed in Napa County Superior Court docket between March and June, based on the San Francisco Chronicle.
The complaints say employees weren’t paid appropriately, have been denied required meal and relaxation breaks, acquired inaccurate wage statements, and needed to work off the clock.
The latest case was filed on June 1 by Tiffany Hogue, who says she labored on the French Laundry as a kitchen server from January to Could 2025.
In line with the grievance, workers needed to attend a “household meal” earlier than service however misplaced a part of their meal durations as a result of utilizing the identical time clock precipitated traces that minimize into breaks.
The submitting claims employees needed to turn into uniforms throughout meal breaks, stroll again to the restaurant, and clock in earlier than beginning shifts.
At shift finish, workers allegedly clocked out earlier than returning to a locker room to alter out of uniforms — time the grievance says ought to have been compensated.
Hogue additionally says workers usually labored greater than 10 hours with no second meal break and that after service began, meal and relaxation breaks have been unavailable.
“Their solely focus is on offering the impeccable service, which is each anticipated and required, at one of many world’s best eating places,” the grievance states.
The grievance additional alleges illegal tip pooling and unpaid “phases,” together with “trial shifts.”
A second grievance was filed on Could 15 by Jovani Ibarra, who says he labored for French Laundry Companions as a runner and server from October 2021 to August 2023.
Ibarra’s grievance says the corporate didn’t pay workers for all hours labored, together with minimal, common, and extra time wages.
The primary of the three circumstances was filed March 19 by Elena Flores Beteta, who alleges she labored as a dishwasher on the French Laundry from August 2022 by means of March 2025.
Her grievance additionally mentions issues with restroom entry, lack of a correct break room, and sizzling kitchen situations.
All three circumstances have been introduced underneath California’s Personal Attorneys Common Act, or PAGA, which permits employees to hunt civil penalties on behalf of the state for alleged labor violations.
In an e-mail cited by the Napa Valley Register, a consultant for Thomas Keller Restaurant Group denied the allegations.
“Our consumer treats all workers lawfully and in full compliance with all relevant California employment legal guidelines and we intend to vigorously defend in opposition to these allegations,” the consultant stated.
A case administration convention for Hogue’s case is ready for Nov. 10, based on Napa County courtroom data.
