When businesses break labour or safety codes, they may face a variety of punishments. One Lethbridge restaurant has been under close inspection since Alberta Health Services found evidence of foreign workers sleeping there on mattresses. This violated provincial business law related to health in food services and possibly labour, though Alberta Labour cleared the restaurant of any wrongdoing.
Alberta Health Services required the restaurant to remove all mattresses and furnishings and no longer allow workers to stay there. They say the employer complied with the order. They also flagged issues regarding a burst pipe and storage of equipment that needed to be cleaned up. This came not as a result of a formal complaint, but instead hearsay about the workers living there, which led to an investigation.
The most recent site inspection found no occupational health and safety or employment standards issues. There was an employee who reportedly was in Canada on a work permit, but he apparently lives elsewhere. Inspectors keep an eye on these issues to enforce business law standards and to protect consumers and employees alike. The parent company of the franchise restaurant said in a statement that they will work to ensure compliance with the company’s operational standards moving forward.
Adhering to business law is critical to ensure the safety and protection of consumers, employees and owners. Despite their best efforts, some businesses or workers may find themselves facing civil litigation over a business law issue. Anyone involved in such a case is advised to contact a lawyer.
Source: huffingtonpost.ca, “Alberta Inspectors Clear Burger King Of Labour Code Violations“, Jan. 19, 2018
