The owner of a popular east Vancouver eatery has been called a “Bad Boss” – but he claims it’s all a misunderstanding.
The “Bad Boss” award was given Tuesday to a breakfast place at Nanaimo and East Broadway called Bon’s Off Broadway.
It was presented by a group called the Employee Rights Action Network, which aims to call attention to unfair practices in the workplace.
Action Network chairman Stephen Von Sychowski said restaurant owner Bon Wong shortchanges employees and doesn’t pay for holidays or overtime.
“Employees aren’t being paid what they’re entitled,” said Von Sychowski, who produced two sworn statements from unnamed workers who said they were paid below minimum wage.
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The statements have been filed with the Employment Standards Branch, a division of the provincial government that monitors workers’ issues.
“The employees were paid $6 per hour, which was well below minimum wage in 2011,” Von Sychowski said.
Wong, the alleged Bad Boss, blamed disgruntled former workers for the accusations.
“A couple of staff got let go, so that’s where the story is coming from,” he said.
Wong said liquor servers are getting paid $9 per hour, as required by law, and kitchen staff are paid the $10.25 hourly minimum wage.
“Nobody is paid $6 an hour,” he said. Everybody gets vacation and overtime pay, he added.
But he admitted he asks each server to pay him $2 per hour from their tips – for a total of $12 each during a six-hour shift.
He said he is entitled to the money because he’s working behind the counter.
“I don’t want 50 per cent of their tips. I just want $2 per hour. I’ve been working in this business for 30 years. If I was a bad boss, nobody would be working for me,” he said.
The eatery does a roaring business. A $2.95 breakfast features bacon, ham or sausages, with eggs, pan fries and toast.
A woman leaving the restaurant with regular customer Aaron Carruthers said Bon’s is a favourite hangout for people in the area with low incomes.
“Bon works alongside his employees. If he has a full staff, how’s he going to serve a $2.95 breakfast?” she asked.
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