Davids Tea questioned over US labor practices
Davids Tea, the Canadian specialty tea chain, is facing questions about its labor practices in the US over the alleged use of on-call shifts. The company was officially contacted by New York Attorney General to explain the use of a scheduling practice that requires employees to call before a shift to find out whether they are required to work. These on-call shifts are often seen as unfair to employees, since they make it difficult for them to arrange reliable childcare or other pursuits while adding to stress and strain on family life. Eight other US jurisdictions are also seeking clarification from the Canadian company that has so far not responded to requests for comment. On a recent investor call Davids Tea executives acknowledged working to offset wage pressures in the US and Canada. The stock price is down about 10% since the news broke.