A former employee of Joseph’s Classic Market in Boca Raton has sued the business, alleging she was pushed out less than three weeks after she started because of her English skills. Cesia Rivera, 34, filed the suit Wednesday in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. She names Joseph’s Classic Market Realty, LLC, Boca Food Market, LLC, and owner Joseph Acierno, and she seeks more than $500,000.
Rivera, who is of Peruvian national origin, says she went through four interviews, three in English and one in Spanish. According to the complaint, an owner told her in Spanish that perfect English was not required. She started on or about June 30, 2025, at a salary of $57,600 a year, working in the kitchen, pricing products and helping customers.
The suit says a newly hired supervisor questioned her English from her first day and told the store manager to fire her. The manager refused, the complaint says, and told Rivera he would speak with Human Resources. When she returned the next day, the manager was out, and his assistant offered her a lower-paying job peeling and cutting vegetables. She declined. Her employment ended on or about July 17, 2025.
The lawsuit alleges national origin discrimination and retaliation under the Florida Civil Rights Act, saying Rivera complained to Human Resources. It also alleges violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, claiming she regularly worked 50 to 52 hours a week without overtime pay. She is asking for a jury trial, back pay, damages and reinstatement.
Rivera is represented by Jason S. Remer of the Coral Gables firm Remer & Georges-Pierre. As of 6 a.m. Friday, the Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts had not processed a response from Joseph’s. These are allegations, and the claims have not been tested in court.
