Susur Lee restaurants to return docked tips
Move comes after thousands signed petition and staff spoke out about ‘IOU system’
Celebrity chef Susur Lee, who runs three well-known restaurants in Toronto, will return money taken from employees’ tips to pay for mistakes after public outcry over the practice.
More than 7,000 people signed a petition asking the chef to refund the money after staff at Fring’s, Lee and the recently closed Bent spoke publicly about the issue.
Last year, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour made the practice of docking tips for common slip-ups — such as broken glasses, spilled drinks and incorrect orders — illegal.
In a statement Monday, a representative for Lee said the management chose to change the policy, called the “IOU system,” as soon as they found out it was no longer allowed.
“We are currently in the process of refunds and reaching out to previous staff members that were affected as well,” said Kelsea Knowles, Lee’s executive assistant.
“We are also in the process of hiring an HR consultant to make sure all is done correctly,” Knowles said.
News that Lee’s three restaurants would change the practice spread after Taylor Clarke — an online personality who often posts about the Toronto restaurant industry under the moniker “ChefGrantSoto” — uploaded an Instagram photo of a note reportedly sent to employees, , saying Lee and his sons were “deeply regretful” about the IOU policy.