Starbucks facing $ 1 million lawsuit after alleged assault

Shannon Mishimagi says all she wanted was to feel safe again.

The 23-year-old student and former Starbucks barista claims that, instead, she was scheduled to work under a supervisor about whom she had complained to management, alleging he had physically assaulted and threatened her.

According to a report in The Toronto Star, Shannon Mishimagi, a Ryerson student, has filed $1-million lawsuit against Starbucks Canada, and the supervisor, for failing to protect her from violence in the workplace.

Mishimagi’s statement of claim was delivered to Starbucks on Friday. A statement of defence has not yet been filed, The Star reports.

Her statement of claim alleges the supervisor threatened her on several occasions, leading up to a physical assault on Oct. 31, 2014 at the Bloor and Runnymede location.

The statement of claim doesn’t specify the nature of the alleged assault.

Mishimagi says she complained to Starbucks management about the supervisor, but says nothing was done to address the situation.

On the contrary, she told The Star, she was scheduled to continue working shifts with the supervisor. Eventually, he was transferred to a different location.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Mishimagi told The Star she came forward with the lawsuit to help other vulnerable young workers, who may lack the confidence and financial security to come forward in the face of workplace violence and harassment.

She says stress from the situation forced her to defer her studies at Ryerson, but she’s hoping to resume her fourth-year classes this fall.

Starbucks Canada wouldn’t comment specifically on the case, but told The Star in a statement that is was “committed to providing a supportive and safe work environment.”

Agencies/Canadajournal