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More than a dozen employees walked out of a Winnipeg restaurant this week after enduring what they describe as disrespectful treatment while on the job.
Servers, managers and kitchen staff allege they had no other option after concerns of routine disrespect at the Smitty’s on St. James were not addressed, but the owners of the franchise said the situation is being mischaracterized.
Former general manager Ahadullah Khojazada says he reached his breaking point on Wednesday and quit after his concerns over the treatment of staff were ignored.
Since 2024, Khojazada said at least two staff members who oversee other employees have allegedly treated staff rudely, shared feedback on mistakes publicly and disregarded company rules.
“I’ve lost seven to eight managers working at this place. Nevermind the amount of servers or kitchen employees that I lost. All of them had the same complaint, they are disrespected or humiliated by [two employees],” Khojazada said.
“I cannot find the peace of mind. I don’t want to work in a place where I’m disrespected.”
According to Smitty’s, 18 employees walked off the job, but five employees who left have since returned. (Santiago Arias Orozco)
According to Smitty’s, the general manager was being investigated for misconduct at the time that he quit. The restaurant said two other managers then encouraged staff to leave the restaurant, and 18 employees walked off the job.
Khojazada denies he was under investigation.
Some of the staff gathered outside the business the next day to make their concerns known.
Shayna Curle and Sheridan Tait-Reaume, who both quit on Wednesday, said they also witnessed Indigenous customers being discriminated against while they were serving at the restaurant.
Other staff would not take tables where Indigenous families were sat, Curle said, with some making comments about their ability to pay or demanding Indigenous customers pay up front.
“They don’t do that to white people. It’s only ever with Indigenous customers,” Curle said.
As an Indigenous person herself, Curle said it was “heartbreaking” to see.
“When people come in to dine, they want to be treated respectfully,” Curle said.
Tait-Reaume said she doesn’t think management should be letting the disrespect slide.
“It’s honestly basic human decency that they have to provide,” Tait-Reaume said. “Why make a code of conduct if you’re not going to respect it?”
Curle said employees were also routinely charged for customers who left without paying.
Valarie Funk, co-owner of the St. James Smitty’s location, said in a statement the situation is being mischaracterized but they are not in a position to discuss specifics publicly.
Funk said there’s no policy or direction suggesting some customers should be treated differently.
“We want to be clear that we do not tolerate racism, discrimination, or harassment of any kind,” Funk said. “We have always believed that a workplace where every person feels respected and accepted is not just good practice, it is the only way to operate. These values are foundational to how we run our business and how we show up in our community.”
Funk said they are following up at this location to make sure the policies are being carried out as intended.
As of Sunday, Funk said five employees who left have returned to their jobs.
Smitty’s says 18 employees left their jobs last week after a general manager resigned from his post. Workers say they have been disrespected by other staff at the business, but management says every employee is expected to be treated with dignity.
