Marylou's hiring practices draw federal scrutiny, owner says its witch hunt

[Ian David]

Marylou's hiring practices draw federal scrutiny, owner says its witch hunt

HINGHAM —

A federal agency is investigating whether Hingham-based chain Marylou’s Coffee uses discriminatory hiring practices, according to a published report.

The Equal Opportunity Commission has asked the company for information about employees’ age, gender, race and body types, according to the Boston Herald.

Owner Marylou Sandry described the probe as a “witch hunt,” according to a letter she sent to state Sen. John Keenan, D-Quincy.

<snip>

“They have to be able to smile and be fun to be with,” she said. “We want our customers to feel they had a good time and want to come back.”


Marylou Sandry, owner of the Marylou's Coffee Shops chain, says a federal probe into her hiring of the "perkiest girls" is a witch hunt.

More:
http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x639954108/Marylous-hiring-practices-draw-federal-scrutiny-owner-says-its-witch-hunt

[1StrongBlackMan]

1. I suspect ...

Marylou Sandry, owner of the Marylou's Coffee Shops chain, says a federal probe into her hiring of the "perkiest girls" is a witch hunt.

That Marylou's counsel's heads just exploded. It really doesn't help defend an EEO investigation to write, and state on video, that your hiring criteria is unlawfully discriminatory.

Maybe she just really unsophisticated and doesn't understand that stating that you are seeking the "perkiest GIRLS" infers that you are NOT seeking "BOYS", perky or otherwise.

[MADem]

4. And then there's the whole "define perky" and "define girls" thing as well.

Even if she could (and I know she can't) find a reason to restrict her hiring to female employees, I guess a highly capable individual with coffee shop/fast food experience, an efficient and pleasing customer service skillset and excellent references who is a bit of a wide-body and closer to fifty than twenty is not sufficiently perky?

I think Mary Lou's needs to change their style. No one goes there for the "girls." They go there because the coffee doesn't taste like lukewarm acid, as it does in many other coffee shops.

[edcantor]

2. The EEOC usually doesn't start investigations without

some evidence or without at least a complaint, and a repetitive pattern in employment practices.

Did Dunkin Donuts file the complaint? I doubt even that would get much attention.

Perhaps there are 3 or more male applicants that were never hired, or some applicants of color, or some applicants over 35, or all 3 classes.

I'd like to read the actual allegations and the substance of evidence before reading about what the owner of the firm claims is a witch hunt.

[MADem]

3. There's smoke, and there's fire, in this suit. nt