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Transgender Ex–Chili’s Manager Sues Over Illinois Firing Citing ‘Values’ Rationale

An initial May 4 court date will test Chili’s public inclusion pledges.

Overview

  • Hudson Webber filed a federal complaint in the Northern District of Illinois alleging they were terminated from a Rosemont Chili’s less than a month after being hired.
  • The lawsuit says the store manager told Webber their “personal values and lifestyle values” did not align with the restaurant and said the decision was made with a regional manager.
  • According to the filing, managers repeatedly called Webber off scheduled shifts and falsely claimed a pipe rupture had closed the restaurant, which the suit argues shows intentional exclusion.
  • Webber seeks back and front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief, with an initial status hearing set for May 4.
  • Brinker International said it cannot comment because of ongoing litigation, and advocates point to 2022 U.S. Trans Survey findings of widespread workplace mistreatment of transgender people.