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Former Otium Workers Protest Missing Paychecks Following Restaurant Closure

Employees of the now-permanently closed Otium in Los Angeles are raising concerns over unpaid wages after the restaurant ceased operations on September 8. On September 25, approximately 15 former staff members gathered outside the restaurant, donning tags that read “owe-tium.” They chanted phrases like “Quiero mi dinero” (“I want my money” in Spanish) and “Wage theft is a crime, pay people for their time” as they sought answers regarding their final paychecks.

In a social media post dated August 8, Otium announced its impending closure, citing “unprecedented challenges” that hindered its ability to continue operations after nine years in business. The announcement hinted at the possibility of a future reopening.

Launched in 2015 and led by Timothy Hollingsworth, a former chef at French Laundry, Otium quickly became a prominent destination for both its architecture and cuisine. Co-managed with Carl Schuster, a former CEO at Wolfgang Puck catering, the restaurant received initial investment from The Broad, a renowned art museum. The demonstration on September 25 occurred just weeks after many workers claimed they were assured of receiving their final paychecks. Both Hollingsworth and Schuster acknowledged the paycheck delays in statements.

In communication with Eater LA, Hollingsworth expressed his frustrations and stated that he was awaiting clarity from Schuster regarding payment timelines: “I would love nothing more than to call you and give you something…but I am waiting here expecting a call from Carl Schuster… praying to God, that he can provide me and the team a date on when they should be expecting payment.”

Schuster further communicated his intent to provide an update to the former employees by September 27, reaffirming a commitment to settle outstanding wages and any penalties due. He mentioned attempts to liquidate inventory and equipment to fund the payments, albeit unsuccessfully. “I’m taking personal responsibility to ensure the employees get paid as quickly as possible,” Schuster stated.

Amidst these assertions, former employees are skeptical about meeting another deadline, feeling a sense of urgency as many rely on paycheck disbursements to meet their rent obligations.

Rylee Ratcliff, a former barista at Otium, recounted the restaurant’s surge in business following the closure announcement, noting that employees faced overwhelming workloads during that period. “A lot of people were working 12-plus hour days, five to six days of the week,” she explained, estimating that she was owed between $3,000 and $3,500 for wages, tips, overtime, and accrued vacation pay.

On September 23, long-time server Melissa Mendoza shared on Instagram a graphic highlighting the restaurant’s alleged failure to pay its staff. Her post claimed that staff members were promised their final checks on September 11, only to face silence from management. By September 15, Otium’s Instagram page had gone private, and Hollingsworth had deleted his account.

Ratcliff mentioned that most communications regarding pay came from KitchenSync HR, a third-party human resources group, sending minimal updates. She also noted that temporary workers from an external agency had reportedly received their wages while Otium staff were left waiting. Schuster indicated that the restaurant had unpaid dues to the agency but maintained that employees would be compensated first.

Yosselin Cortes, a former manager who joined Otium in 2015, alleged that employees who assisted with post-closure cleanup also expected checks on September 11—a promise that was ultimately unmet. She noted that communication from management has been sparse, often reduced to generic responses. Additionally, she reported past issues with bounced paychecks that had reportedly affected staff morale.

Eater has reached out to Schuster to address these past paycheck discrepancies.

In the aftermath of the closure, employees created a group chat to address the wage situation. Roughly ten days after the expected payment date, they convened to strategize and seek legal representation, prompting them to organize the protest. Ratcliff highlighted the need for accountability, suggesting that stakeholders like The Broad also bear a responsibility in the situation.

Cortes expressed concern for the most vulnerable workers who may hesitate to speak out due to fear of retaliation. “Everyone was saying they’re obviously scared to speak up, so we need to speak up for them,” she said, emphasizing the communal effort to advocate for each other’s rights.

Last updates from HR have indicated a forthcoming announcement on September 27, though Ratcliff remained uneasy. “It wasn’t even, ‘Oh, y’all will get paid on the 27th,’” she stated, noting the pressing timeline for many employees hoping to cover rent with their final checks.

In a joint statement, Otium employees expressed their frustration over the wage nonpayment:

“Despite our commitment and hard work, we have not received our last two paychecks, which has created financial hardships for many of us. We want to express our solidarity as a team and emphasize the importance of fair treatment in the workplace. We have made multiple attempts to communicate with management regarding this issue but have yet to receive a satisfactory resolution. Our goal is to resolve this matter amicably and ensure that all employees receive their due wages promptly.”

Reflecting on the necessity of their protest, Mendoza questioned why it had come to this: “Why do we have to protest to get our last paycheck? That’s very unprofessional. I don’t think that we should have to do this. And I hope we’re not targeted for this.”

“It’s really heartbreaking, because they would always say to us, ‘We’re family, we’re one team, one dream,’” concluded Cortes.

This story has been updated.

Source
la.eater.com