Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club’s Got 99 Problems
Courtesy of Sohh.com
After experiencing a wide array of mishaps at his New York locale, Jay-Z’s newly opened Las Vegas 40/40 Club has seen several setbacks and massive lay-offs, and the former employees are speaking out. According to Las Vegas Weekly, since its December 30th opening in 2007, an estimated 100 or more staff members of the club have been reportedly escorted off of the property or have voluntarily resigned from their posts. Many former employees have gone public with their their complaints. Using MySpace and TMZ ex-employees have claimed that the club’s policies include: on-the-spot, mid-shift terminations without investigations, threats, degrading treatment, use of the n-word by management, and a complete lack of preparedness. Operating partner of the 40/40 club Desiree Perez (aka Desiree Gonzalez) - wife of co-owner Juan Perez - is rumored to be responsible for the firings, but declined to comment on the matter. However, club manager Ramon Mata did weigh in on the controversy surrounding the newly opened night spot. “As with all new businesses, you find out in your first few days of operations what staffing levels are needed,” he said. “We adjusted accordingly and followed all rules and regulations in terms of employees that were let go.”
The firings allegedly started before the club even opened its doors, with a manager being dismissed because of questionable operating procedures. Of the original 10 managers hired at the club, only two are still employed. Staff members complained that the first time they had a chance to work with the cash-register system at the club was only an hour before the doors opened. Bartenders, cocktail servers and managers also complained of a “no comp” policy that required them to pay for spills and breakage. In addition, 55 of 90 security personnel were let go at closing on December 31. Other stories include bartenders being over staffed and fired without investigation for instances that were not properly investigated. These are just the latest issues for the 40/40 franchise. As previously reported by SOHH, the club’s new year’s eve celebration was in jeopardy due to a failed inspection, but the venue was able to obtain the proper permits and licenses to ensure that the club opened on time as planned. The New York club has also been mired in controversy since its opening. A former waitress filed a lawsuit against the club for allegedly failing to pay her wages, an off-duty cadet was stabbed, and a New Jersey man was charged with raping a 21 year-old woman at the club only a short time after it opened for business.
Editor’s Note: OK, let me get this…Jay-Z goes from the man with the Mida Touch to the dude who “everything he touch turns to mud?” His 40/40 frachise is mired in controversy on both coasts, his label is being disintegrated, his presidency is over with numerous artists taking shots at his dome, his homies from back home is taking shots at the throne, him, Dame & Biggs is on the skits…I’m like damn homie, this n*gga need a spiritual bath or something!
Desiree fired me one day when i was clocking out for the night. All she said is “it’s just not working out.” But the week before, she told me I was working hard… in front of all the sales staff! Go figure!
it’s a shame what’s happening with Jay-z’s clubs but this is the reality of all clubs. There will be problems and the problems eventually get fixed. Hopefully Jay will fix this.