Ruby Tuesdays Tip
Credit Lawsuit
Ruby Tuesday paid its Connecticut servers the “server’ minimum wage (now $6.38) for side work. Connecticut law requires that restaurants pay its severs the full minimum wage (now $10.10) for non-service duties. This class action claims unpaid backpay for servers at Connecticut Ruby Tuesday restaurants from 1/19/14 through 9/30/15.
HAVE YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW WORKED AS A SERVER OR BARTENDER AT RUBY TUESDAYS IN CONNECTICUT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2020?
Prior to September 24th, 2020, restaurants were required to pay their servers the full minimum wage, currently $12.00/hr. in Connecticut, for their entire shift if they made those servers do side-work and failed to pay the side-work at the full minimum wage. We allege that Ruby Tuesdays assigned side-work but paid the lower server wage, $6.38/hr. for all hours worked, including side-work. We allege that this practice violates the law.
Q
I. Who are the Defendants?
A
Ruby Tuesdays, Inc. Tennessee corporation which operates restaurants around the country, including in Connecticut.
Q
II. What is this case about?A
Minimum Wage. We claim in this lawsuit that Ruby Tuesdays violated Connecticut minimum wage laws with regard to its servers.
Q
III. What court is the case filed in?A
Connecticut. This case is filed in Connecticut Superior Court at Hartford.
Q
IV. Should I fear retaliation?A
No. It is illegal to retaliate against an employee who joins a lawsuit like this. If you experience retaliation, we will help you.
Q
V. Where can I go to get answers to my questions?A
Call us. You are always welcome to call us at Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore who will do their best to answer your questions. Our number is 860-522-8888.
Q
VI. Who are the lawyers representing?A
Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC. The servers who brought this lawsuit are being represented by the Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore. We are experienced lawyers and have successfully handled cases like this in the past.
Q
VII. How much can I expect to get?A
It depends. We claim that servers should be paid twice the amount of full minimum wage for all hours worked, minus what Ruby Tuesday has already paid the servers.
Q
VIII. Will I have to pay any legal fees or costs?A
No. We have agreed to work on this case on a “contingency” basis which means that our fee, and reimbursement for our costs, will come, if at all, out of any settlement. The court will closely supervise our fee petition and ensure that it is fair to the class.
IX. What is the status of the case?
The following represents the status of the case as of the date indicated:
| DATE | COURT FILING | DESCRIPTION |
| January 14th, 2019 | Complaint | This is the lawsuit itself which includes the detailed allegations of wrongdoing. |
Important: At the request of Governor Ned Lamont and former Democratic Speaker of the House Joe Arasimowicz, Connecticut changed these laws on 9/24/2020 in a way that permits employers to have servers do more side-work than before the change. There still are limitations on what an employer may do. Please let us know if you have questions about the law both before and after 9/24/2020.