SCOOP: Three more women sue Jungle Boys for discrimination

Three women who previously worked for Jungle Boys have sued the storied SoCal operator alleging sex discrimination, underpayment and other labor violations.

The case follows a similar pending suit filed in April by two women. The five plaintiffs seek to consolidate the cases into a class action representing similarly situated Jungle Boys workers over the past four years.

The defendants are Los Angeles County-based Toluca Lake Collective and other entities associated with the Jungle Boys brand. A lawyer for Jungle Boys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  

The plaintiffs worked as budtenders (allegedly called “Jungle Girls”) and other jobs allege they were denied equal pay, promotions and assignments “because they are women.” It further alleges unpaid overtime, withheld tips and other labor violations affected male and female workers. 

Defendant Lindsay Wooten alleges she was repeatedly denied opportunities to be a cultivator, despite holding a degree in horticulture.

Wooten, who was married, claims she saw several employees fired after reporting their pregnancies and felt she would be fired if she got pregnant. She alleges her manager “held a meeting and expressly told female employees they were not allowed to become pregnant.”

• The suit further alleges the company routinely demoted, reduced hours or fired women who were married or said they were getting married.

A second defendant, Lily Barragan alleges her hours were cut more than 50% after she became pregnant. She claims she was fired after using sick leave on account of her morning sickness.  

The suit further alleges Jungle Boys:

• Gave women inferior plants for trimming, which meant more work for less pay  
• Communicated a policy that women couldn’t work as cultivators and otherwise limited women’s attempts to advance their careers

The case was filed yesterday in California state court. Read the complaint.