Lawsuit Says Hooters Violated Michigan Civil Rights Law - WDIV-TV

WDIV TV – Detroit
May 24, 2010

News Anchor Devin Scillian:

Lose weight or lose your job. That was the unusual ultimatum given to this local Hooters waitress

News Anchor Carmen Harlan:

And it’s a story that’s gotten national attention, and tonight she’s fighting back by filing a lawsuit. Our Lauren Podell has the story.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

This is where it all started, the Hooters here in Roseville, where Cassie’s “lose weight or lose your job” story went national, motivating her to file this lawsuit today, mainly to set an example for women everywhere.

Cassie Smith:

I would say I’m doing it more for other women than I am myself, because it’s a big deal.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

And after Cassie’s story went national . . .

Jay Leno:

Let’s see how he looks in the Hooters uniform. We got that picture? Yeah, here you go.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

Women all over the world took notice, which helped Cassie and her parents decide to take this case to the next level.

Cassie Smith:

I realized that this is a huge deal. I may have gotten my message across, but it needs to go bigger than that.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

Mark Bernstein is representing Cassie, and tells me, thanks to a state law only here in Michigan, their chances of winning just went way up.

Attorney Mark Bernstein:

The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which has been the landmark and essential civil rights law in the state of Michigan, includes weight as a protection.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

She’s looking for damages in excess of $25,000, including lost wages and emotional distress. But her main goal is to put an end to this treatment.

Cassie Smith:

I would like for Hooters not to be able to do that to girls. I mean, like he said, we’re waitresses; we make $2.65 an hour. It’s not fair to be put under that pressure.

News Reporter Lauren Podell:

Now Cassie’s lawyer tells me the Hooters here in Roseville, along with their corporate office in Atlanta both received copies of this lawsuit complaint, and he also tells me it could be up to a year before a trial date is set for this case. Reporting in Roseville, Lauren Podell, Local 4.