Hooters Girls Sue Chain Over Uniforms

by Lesley Kennedy (Subscribe to Lesley Kennedy's posts)
Posted Oct 30th 2009 at 12:16PM

Hooters girls backstage at Alexander Wang's Fall '09 show. Photo: Getty Images

As if wearing a Hooters uniform isn't bad enough, now news is out that some waitresses at the restaurant chain have to pay for their short-shorts, tiny tanks and shiny suntanned pantyhose, too.

Hooters waitresses Gina Rosati and Amy Frederick filed a class-action lawsuit in Brooklyn, NY federal court yesterday accusing the Hooters of Long Island chain of labor law violations, the New York Post reports.

The suit seeks back pay and damages from owners Richard Buckley and Christopher Levano, as well as parent company Strix, according to the paper.

"Hooters of Long Island requires its waitresses to purchase and wear a nationally recognizable uniform," attorney Louis Pechman wrote in the suit, as reported by the Post..

So, what does it cost to dress as a Hooters girl? Well, $19.43. Here's the breakdown: "Dolphin" shorts, $5.45. Lycra tank top, $6. Shiny beige pantyhose, $2.50. Pouch, $3.23. Thick white socks, $2.25. Serving Buffalo wings half naked. Priceless.

Waitresses must share their tips with the kitchen staff, a requirement Pechman claims is illegal. At least 100 waitresses could qualify to collect, adds the paper.

We think making employees wear shiny beige pantyhose and slouch socks should be cause enough for legal action. But that's just us.

What do you think? Is it fair to make the Hooters waitresses pay for their skimpy work wear? Leave a comment!

Here's another uniform controversy.

Read All Comments

Filed under: News
Tags: hooters, Hooters Girls, HootersGirls, lawsuits, long-island, pantyhose, short-shorts, socks, uniforms, waitresses

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(103)Add A Comment

diamondgirll01, 10-30-2009, 12:39PM

I think its rediculous to make a waitress who is also a form of entertainment in this place to pay the kithen help, the reaturant is making enough money, PAY your staff!!! cheepos.. everyone always want to take away money from the servant workers, as if they dont earn the money! CEO's are not the only people that should make good money. I'm sure the kitchen staff is mostly men,lol,,
Pay your staff Hooters!!!

Reply »

etirpsha, 10-31-2009, 2:31PM

The wonderful thing about America is that we do not have forced servitude. Every individual is free to seek and take the employment they want. If a person does not like the bosses' rules, they can always quite and look elsewhere. On the other hand, the owners have invested their money in the business. They are taking the risks, and because they are taking the risks, they have a right to determine the rules of employment. If they exercise poor judgment, it is THEY, not the employees who lose their money. So, girls, it was YOU who knew the conditions of employment, but still decided you wanted to work at Hooters.if you don't like the conditions, find a job more to your liking somewhere else.

C.B port richey, 11-01-2009, 12:29PM

Why wouldnt they charge for uniforms? If they didnt, it opens the door for people to take advantage of them. And if you idiots did your research properly you would know that they do give free uniforms when you start working and after you work so many accumulated hours. As far as tipping out the kitchen, it is voluntary. If a girl made 200 dollars in a 4 hour shift and wants to give some kudos to the kitchen that is up to her. remember part of her customer satisfaction is the food not just her service. But who cares about the kitchen guys im sure that 8 dollars an hour will take them real far right. If you qualify for the position and dont like the rules then find a new job. Welcome to America.

Jayne, 10-30-2009, 5:19PM

I'm pretty sure they don't have to share tips with the kitchen staff or management. But I think other companies charge for uniforms, even the military services require that you buy your own uniforms.

Reply »

Mom, 10-31-2009, 6:26AM

Yes they do share their tips. My daughter works for Hooters. That is the reason I know.

Yuliana, 10-31-2009, 6:55PM

true. the military does require you to buy your own clothing but they give you a clothing allowance that is SEPARATE from your basic pay. I know this because I was in the military.

dsherline, 10-31-2009, 9:13AM

Actually, the military gives you your first uniform issue then you receive an annual clothing maintenance allowance. An allowance being other than your base pay. While the CMA isn't enough to replace your whole uniform issue it is usually enough to do what it's intended for; to maintain your uniforms.

Ben, 10-31-2009, 5:49PM

That's only part right Jane. The military GIVES you your first uniform and all accessories. This is $400 worth. Then you maintain your uniforms as they need replacing. If you are doing a regular tour in the service, you should never have to replace but a few items, such as boots.

Ben Drake SSgt. USMC Disabled

danzillo4, 10-31-2009, 6:32AM

Most restaurants do require tip sharing and the meager cost of those lovely outfits, get real girls...

Reply »

Tek Kirby, 10-31-2009, 10:00AM

I hope they when their suit against the one Hooters restaurant. Then rest of Hooters waitress start class action suit against corporate Hooters since all waitresses have to buy on uniform and share tips. Buying your own uniform wouldn't be bad if all of them got minimum wage from the start. But waitresses in USA get couple dollars an hour with tips supposedly making up the rest of the minimum wage. But even if the tips make up the difference to get at least minimum wage they get screwed again having to pay kitchen staff. Probably over 95% of Hooters reastaurant make awesome money so no need not to pay decent wages. I have bought my waitress dolphins or shirts couple times when management told them they had to get new ones. The USA governement should stop the loop hole and make all people get at least minimum wage with not exceptions,

Reply »

Cindy, 10-31-2009, 2:58PM

Keep the Government out of private business. If we don't stop Congress now, it will all be government run and "shared"

Craig, 10-31-2009, 7:07AM

A little harsh don't you think? We, wife, daughter, friends and I, visit the local Hooters near our office a few times a week. Most, if not all, are very sweet girls once you get to know them as a person, not the perception of the type of girl who works there. It is interesting to hear how they view life, the economy, politics, etc... Many of these girls are married and have a family. They are just trying to support themself as anyone else. We do not look a them they way you describe them. My perception is you may have insecurity issues or cannot see a person beyond their outer presence. While I'll agree most of th girls are pretty, it's their inner beauty and intelligence which is more attractive. Maybe you need to do some soul searching and try to understand why you have such a negative, first impression type view of people simply because of where they work. Stereotyping a person because of where they work is unconsciousable.

Reply »

TiS, 10-31-2009, 7:11AM

You are not forced to take the job. If you don't like the idea, go work at Denny's or something.

Reply »

Dan Bauder, 10-31-2009, 7:11AM

First off: lzllon, KellyW, and kissyoubaby7, all of you need to
look a little closer,(like maybe, ... the little notation below the
"add your comment" button. Your comments had absolutly
nothing to do with the issue at hand!

Now, back to the:"Hooters girls sue chain over uniforms"

1. Waitresses sharing tips with kitchen staff,... who ever made
that rule, should not be incharge!
2. As far as paying for CERTAIN clothing. I'm pretty sure they
knew before they took the job, they knew and if didn't agree,
Shouldn't have excepted it!

Reply »

Russell, 10-31-2009, 8:10AM

It's not completely unusual for employers to charge employees for their work uniforms and $20 is not that unreasonable.

It may be different where they are, but expenses like work uniforms that come out of your own pocket are usually tax deductible.

And to blondeeagle1970. For someone that supposedly has morals and ethics you're awfully judgemental and insulting of others. I'm willing to bet that what you call morals and ethics for not working there is in fact jealousy because you can't work there.

Reply »

alaska123, 10-31-2009, 8:16AM

Every restaraunt that I have ever worked at the waitstaff split your tips with the cooks and dishwashers. The reason being is that they are just as important as the waitress. Think about it... If the food sucks, plates aren't clean, the order is wrong, or the meal is delayed... The tip is affected. So get a clue, they are just as important, just as much in the service industry as a waiter or waitress. Now the waitress will still go home with $100 dollars or more in tips, the dishwashers $10 to $15 and the cooks maybe $20. In a restaraunt you are a team. OH yeah I forgot they also split tips with the host or hostess.

Reply »

Dominic, 10-31-2009, 8:20AM

I think these girls need to calm down! That is how the world works. MANY jobs make you pay for your uniform. Don't think that because you work at a FINE establishment like Hooters, the rules don't apply to you. Quit your whining and pay the $20. I'm sure you'll make that in 10 minutes from all the guys who come there to stare at your "huge...brain". Get over yourselves ladies! You are glorified strippers. No one comes there for the wings!!

Reply »

gobluespartyon, 10-31-2009, 3:12PM

Ladies that work at Hooters aren't strippers Hooters has good food I'm not a fan of there wings I like burgers, Chicken Tenders, Fried Pickles etc. So i don't go to Hooters to look at the pretty & beautiful women it's a plus food is pretty good.