Fed up staffers at the popular chicken-and-ribs chain Dallas BBQ claim that their bosses set up illegal video surveillance in employee locker rooms and snooped on them while changing, according to a Brooklyn federal lawsuit.
The class-action suit alleges that Dallas BBQ managers brazenly watched their workers inside the purportedly private areas on monitors while defending it as a “loss prevention,” or anti-theft strategy.
Lawyers for the workers allege in the complaint that they’ve confirmed locker-room surveillance at the chain’s Brooklyn location and are investigating if the practice extends to its Manhattan hot spots.
One worker in the suit, Mary Williams, said managers at the Brooklyn location didn’t event try to hide their snooping habits, the suit states.
“Plaintiff Williams has seen restaurant managers view this footage and make no effort ot conceal the videos from restaurant employees,” the suit states. “Defendants have acted recklessly and with utter disregard for Plaintiffs … by installing video surveillance and viewing the footage.”
The suit also blasts Dallas BBQ for trying to stiff workers out of overtime and forcing them to contribute to an employee tip pool on each receipt even if customers didn’t leave a gratuity.
Based in Manhattan, a Dallas BBQ rep did not immediately return an e-mail request for comment.