Ten Sweetgreen workers are suing the salad chain, alleging racial discrimination at seven New York City restaurants

September 18, 2023: Ten Sweetgreen workers are suing the salad chain, alleging racial discrimination at seven New York City restaurants.

The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court in the Bronx, alleges that the plaintiffs’ co-workers and managers subjected them to daily use of the N-word and other racist comments.

The complaint alleges that managers did not hire or promote qualified Black workers and gave preferential treatment to Hispanic workers. The complainants allege that store managers said Hispanic people work harder than African Americans and named Black workers lazy.

The plaintiffs also claim complaints to upper management, including Sweetgreen’s human help department, were ignored for years.

The lawsuit claims managers sexually harassed female workers, making sexual comments and touching them inappropriately.

“At Sweetgreen, we are committed to diversity and a safe and inclusive workplace. We take these accusations seriously and do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or unsafe working conditions,” a Sweetgreen spokesperson said.

The plaintiffs seeks monetary and penal damages and payment of attorneys’ fees.

The lawsuit was initially filed in March with only two plaintiffs. Thursday’s amended objection includes eight new plaintiffs and adds more restaurants.

The seven Manhattan locations in the lawsuit include restaurants in the Meatpacking District, the Financial District, Greenwich Village, Midtown East, the Upper East Side, and the Upper West Side.

Under New York City law, companies are liable for their managers’ discriminatory conduct.

The lawsuit also names two of Sweetgreen’s “head trainers,” or general managers, as defendants.