[Marshall Placid]

Your boss, I am assuming, is one level higher than you?

Or, is he the owner of the restaurant?

Or, just one level higher than you?

My question is:
Is there someone higher than he is?

If so, you may want to talk with the "higher level-uppers".

It is easier said than done for suing.

Firstly, will you be suing the exec. chef?

Or, will you be suing the highest-level manager/owner of the restaurant?

And, what about the legal fees?

Lawyers are $100 to $200 per hour, and only if they want to take you on.

And, lets say you decide to sue, what about your future career?

You won't get good references from the current owner/boss.

It is a difficult situation.

I would say that, if I were you, I would stand up to that "boss" that hit you, and ask him not to, "or else" you will talk with the highest-level boss/owner.

If he is the highest level boss, then threaten him with legal recourse (even though you won't do it).

If you QUIT, you don't get severance.

If he fires you, you get severance.

Good luck.