Employment Law

Personal Injury

Former workers file lawsuit against controversial restaurant

by | Apr 27, 2018 | Sexual Harassment |

Certain industries and individual companies may embrace sexuality as a marketing tool. They may rely on actions and policies that others may view as being in poor taste as ways to increase their notoriety through controversy. Some might say that those who work for such employers understand they environment that they are going into, and should not then be shocked when asked to do things that seemingly objectify them. However, no matter the industry one works is, he or she has the right to abstain from activities he or she may feel are inappropriate, and to report the requests and/or pressure to engage in such actions as harassment. 

Some might think such pressure would only come from an out-of-line manager or supervisor, but in some companies, it could go all the way up the corporate ladder. That is the accusation being made in a lawsuit filed by three former employees of a national restaurant chain. The chain is known for employing provocatively dressed servers, yet these women claim they pressured in ways that made them feel degraded. They cited a specific example where management made then wear lingerie for theme nights, which resulted in them being arrested by local authorities. However, without their consent, company representatives pled guilty on their behalf, leaving them with the offenses on their records. 

Everyone is entitled to feel comfortable at work. While certain employers may adopt a provocative and controversial company culture, that still may not allow them to create a hostile atmosphere which imposes unfair pressures on their staffs. They should also respect their employees’ rights to handle their own personal matters despite how they might affect the perceptions others may have of their business. When those rights are not respected, one might want to work with an attorney to take action. 

Source: CW33 NewsFix “Twin Peaks restaurant being sued by former servers for sexual harassment” Apr. 27, 2018

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