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Food

Disney World Is Being Sued for Allegedly Paying a Waitress Less than Minimum Wage

Jasmine Sandoval’s suit claims that she spent more than 20 percent of her working hours doing untipped work like washing dishes, but received the lower minimum wage of $5.04 that is meant to be implemented for workers who also receive tips.
Photo via Flickr user Christine Urias

Disney may be considering Uber-style surge pricing for its parks during peak weekends, but they might also be facing legal issues similar to those of the on-demand car service.

One former employee says the company tried to pay her less than the appropriate minimum wage for her work. (Maybe surge pricing doesn't work both ways?) A former server at the Magic Kingdom's Plaza restaurant recently sued Disney World, according to the Orlando Sentinel, alleging that she was underpaid for the amount of untipped work she performed.

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Jasmine Sandoval's suit claims that she spent more than 20 percent of her working hours doing untipped work like washing dishes, but received the lower minimum wage of $5.04 that is meant to be implemented for workers who also receive tips. Florida law requires employers to pay the higher, untipped minimum wage of $8.05 when workers spend more than 20 percent of their time on the clock doing untipped tasks.

Sandoval is suing Mickey Mouse and Co. for more than $15,000 in damages, back wages, interest, attorney's fees, and "any additional relief this Court deems just and proper."

READ MORE: Restaurant Workers in the US Are Flat Broke

Sandoval worked as a server at the Plaza Restaurant from 2011 to 2015, when she quit for reasons unrelated to the wage issue, she says.

"We're not trying to make millions of dollars," Sandoval's attorney, Michael Grossman, told the Orlando Sentinel. "We're just trying to get wages recovered."

MUNCHIES reached out to Walt Disney World for comment on the matter, but has not yet received a response. "We are reviewing the allegations contained in the complaint and will respond in court," Disney told the Orlando Sentinel in a prepared statement.

The Plaza Restaurant is on Walt Disney World's Main Street USA, and serves American comfort food like burgers, meatloaf, and Reubens. A turkey sandwich will run you $15–not exactly chump change when you're only making five bucks an hour.