Le Grill staff dismissed over alcohol contest SBM's actions
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Former employees of the Michelin-starred Le Grill restaurant, dismissed by the Société des Bains de Mer for drinking alcohol on duty, are now disputing their employer's handling of the case.
Several employees of Le Grill, the rooftop restaurant atop the Hôtel de Paris known for its retractable roof and panoramic views over the harbour, have been dismissed by the Société des Bains de Mer after being found to have consumed alcohol during working hours on the premises.
The dismissed staff are now speaking out, arguing that their lives have been upended by the decision and raising questions about how the SBM conducted its internal investigation. They contend that the process used to identify and remove them from their posts was unfair, though the company has defended its right to enforce strict conduct standards within its flagship establishments.
The case touches a sensitive nerve in Monaco, where the SBM remains the Principality's largest private employer and operator of its most prestigious hotels, casinos and restaurants. Any dispute over workplace practices at one of its Michelin-starred venues carries weight beyond the individuals involved, given the group's central role in the local economy and its reputation for exacting standards among staff and guests alike.