Chipotle Makes Surprising Announcement about Employment Perks
When we read about wage issues or widespread changes regarding employment practices at fast food restaurants, it isn't always in a positive tone. In fact, it's not uncommon to read stories about unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations and employee dissatisfaction with low pay.
However, there are examples of compensation changes that actually benefit workers and make a company look favorable in the eyes of the public. Recently, for example, international Mexican food chain Chipotle made an announcement that could prove to be a huge benefit for workers as well as an example for other employers in the industry.
The food chain announced that Chipotle workers will be given paid sick and vacation leave. These benefits are usually more available to people in salaried positions; while they are not unheard of for hourly workers, paid sick and vacation days are not often given to people who work in low-paying and part-time jobs.
These efforts to improve employee benefits are evidently part of a plan by Chipotle to make themselves a more desirable employer. Despite other employee-positive options including tuition reimbursement and heavy internal recruiting practices, the fast food chain has struggled to stay competitive. Providing increased benefits may also be in response to the numerous filed against the company citing unpaid overtime, but that has not been confirmed.
Whatever the reasons are behind Chipotle's strategy to improve employment offerings, it certainly seems to benefit both the employees they are trying to attract and the company.
When it comes to making significant changes to wage, benefit or hour structures on a large scale, it can be crucial to first explore how the proposed change will impact employers and employees. Making a bad -- or worse, illegal -- change to these practices can have a devastating impact on companies and the people working for those companies. Before these types of changes are put in place, it can be essential to discuss the situation with an attorney to avoid any potential legal conflicts.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Chipotle's Hourly Workers Are Getting Paid Sick Leave And Vacation," Emily Peck, June 8, 2015