Christina Spicer  |  February 20, 2020

Category: Labor & Employment

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Winnipeg Jets logo regarding lawsuit against Scheifele filed by his former chefA lawsuit launched against Winnipeg Jets player Mark Scheifele claims he retaliated against his former personal chef by firing him after he objected to an increased workload.

According to the plaintiff, a Winnipeg chef, he began working for Scheifele in August of 2017. From then until September of 2018, the plaintiff says he was expected to cook Scheifele’s meals at home and arrange for meals to be delivered while the player was traveling during the hockey season. The chef, Jeremy John Senaris, alleges in the Winnipeg Jets player lawsuit that he was paid $50,000 that year and was promised health benefits and reimbursement for out of pocket expenses; however, the health benefits and reimbursements never materialized.

CBC News reports that, during that first year, the plaintiff alleges he kept his job as a draftsman. The following year, the chef says that Scheifele promised to raise his pay and take care of the outstanding reimbursements still pending according to the Winnipeg Jets player lawsuit.

In return, the plaintiff quit his other job to work full time for the hockey player. However, after the plaintiff quit, he says that the terms of the job changed dramatically.

“Ultimately, Mr. Scheifele… doubled the plaintiff’s workload without his consent and agreement,” alleges the Winnipeg Jets player’s former personal chef’s lawsuit. “The way that Mr. Scheifele attempted to impose these changes (was) done in a manner that was callous, unprofessional, and Mr. Scheifele did not provide the plaintiff with a legitimate business purpose for the change.”

According to the Winnipeg Jets player’s personal chef’s lawsuit, the hockey player demanded that he cook for another player – doubling his workload, but not his pay. The plaintiff says he rejected this change and was subsequently fired without warning.

“[Senaris] was repeatedly mentioned during media interviews as a cause of Mr. Scheifele’s positive athletic performance,” alleges the Winnipeg Jets player’s former personal chef’s lawsuit that also notes that he received positive reviews from the hockey player and was never reprimanded.

The plaintiff participated in MasterChef Canada, according to CTV News.

According to CBC News, the hockey player Mark Scheifele has enjoyed remarkable success in recent years. The player was signed, as part of an 8 year contract worth $49 million USD, to the Winnipeg Jets in 2016. In December of this year, Scheifele scored his 400th career point.

“In light of the substantial changes to the employment relationship, and Mr. Scheifele’s conduct, it would have been demeaning for the Plaintiff to continue to work for Mr. Scheifele, under the newly imposed conditions,” alleges the Winnipeg Jets player’s former personal chef’s lawsuit. “As a result, the Plaintiff immediately commenced seeking new employment elsewhere in order to mitigate his damages.”

The plaintiff is seeking $75,000 in damages. The Winnipeg Jets player’s former personal chef’s  lawsuit is still pending in court and the claims have not yet been tested.

Do you think it is wrong to terminate an employee if they refuse to increase their workload? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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