PORTLAND, Ore. — A former employee of a bikini coffee stand in Southeast Portland says she was fired for reporting her employer to OSHA.
Mischell Liebenow has filed a civil complaint against the Hot Bikini Brew coffee stand with the state’s Bureau of Labor Industries for retaliation.
In the complaint she says she told her boss the stand’s water heater broke and she couldn’t properly wash her hands.
When nothing was fixed, she filed a report with OSHA. Five days later she says she was fired.
It’s illegal in Oregon for employees to retaliate against a whistleblower.
Brad Avakian, labor commissioner for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, couldn't speak on this case specifically, but added: “No employee should have to live in fear they’re going to lose their job, their hours, that they’re going to be demoted, simply because they stood up for a fair and safe workplace."
The coffee stand's owner Jon Elston, named in the complaint, said the complaint is "false," and, "The evidence will prove that."
BOLI is still investigating the complaint.
Employees can be compensated for all missed hours if it’s found they were retaliated against.
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