The New York City Restaurant Industry Roundtable is a collaboration of restaurant owners, workers, government agencies, city officials, and ROC-NY.  The group meets regularly to provide valuable services and information to each other, as well as develop strategies that help restaurants take the "high road" to profitability.  All New York City restaurants are encouraged to learn about and become a part of the Roundtable; the information and services offered are vitally important to the success of any restaurant.  In addition, the roundtable provides valuable support for an employer striving to become a High Road restaurant. 

What is a High Road Restaurant?

 

A high road restaurant: 

Complies with city, state and federal wage and overtime requirements, as well as requirements set forth by the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

Creates a respectful work environment free from hostility or abuse

Offers a regularly updated employee manual and establishes a neutral grievance procedure

Makes training, reference materials, and the opportunity to be promoted available to all staff members

Utilizes documentation to improve business practices, including publicized discipline

Offers health care options to its employees, or at minimum, helps employees obtain access to information on affordable health care in New York City

Works toward providing paid sick days to all staff

Accomplishments of the NYC Restaurant Industry Roundtable 

 

In 2006, the Roundtable, workers, owners, and city agencies came together to produce the New York City Restaurant Owner Manual, an informative 60-page manual on restaurant owners' legal obligations to their workers.  The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs agreed to publish and distribute the Manual to restaurant owners who seek to obtain a license from the city. ROC-NY has also worked with the NYC Department of Small Business Services, NY Department of labor, NYC Department of Health, and various attorneys to offer free trainings to restaurant owners. 

Currently, ROC-NY and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs are working to update the manual to reflect the Department of Labor's new 2011 Hospitality Wage Order, which took effect January 1, 2011.

In 2009, the NYCRI Roundtable and ROC-NY held the first annual Exceptional Workplace Awards, which recognized restaurants that provide unusually good work environments and benefits.  The awards were based on a set of principles created by the Roundtable and ROC-NY, known then as the Code of Conduct.

The Roundtable honored a new group of restaurants on July 26, 2011, with an vent featuring the release of the second edition of If You Care, Eat Here: The NYC Diner's Guide to High Road Restaurants.  To learn more about this year's recepients, visit ifyoucareeathere.com.

Benefits of Being a Roundtable Member

GREAT PUBLICITY & EXPOSURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Addition to the NYCRI Roundtable website

A listing in the publication of NYCRI Roundtable restaurants to be distributed throughout New York City 

Promotion of your restaurant to conscientious consumers 
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUR STAFF AND BUSINESS

Training in all front and back of the house skills, including customized classes to suit your restaurant’s needs          

Prep courses and enrollment for the Department of Health Food Protection Certificate, offered in English and Spanish          

Access to a pool of experienced restaurant workers for staffing needs ·        

In-depth assistance with laws regarding labor, immigration, and health and safety, as well as human resource practices                    

All NYC Restaurants are Encouraged to Join the NYC Restaurant Industry Roundtable

To learn the details of Roundtable membership, including information on our Best Practices Agreement, current members and partners, and future initiatives, please contact Daisy Chung at (212) 343-1771.

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