Seattle's popular restaurant Canlis sued for wage theft

The prestigious Canlis restaurant in Seattle is being sued for wage theft.

The class action suit, which was first reported by the Seattle Times, alleges the fine dining restaurant has violated Seattle’s Wage Theft Ordinance.

The suit states that Canlis has been collecting a 20% service charge, with a disclosure that the fee would be distributed to staff. But two former workers say the money went to the restaurant instead. Last summer, the disclosure was amended, saying the service charge is retained by Canlis.

The former workers also noted that restaurant didn’t pay for training and required work off the clock without compensation.

Seattle's Wage Theft Ordinance took effect April 2015. It establishes requirements for employers to pay workers wages and tips, including service charges added to a customer’s bill.

Canlis did not respond to KUOW’s request for comment. Canlis is the latest restaurant to be sued for wage theft. In March, Ballard restaurant Hamdi was accused of wage and tip theft by former workers.