Il Fornaio, a California fine-dining chain that operates several upscale restaurants, agreed to pay $3 million to settle claims filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The agency alleged that female employees, many of them teenagers, endured sexual harassment and were pressured to leave their jobs.
Settlement and allegations
The agency’s amended complaint details that male executives, managers and staff at multiple locations engaged in vulgar groping, made sexual comments, and demanded favors in exchange for favorable treatment. In one incident, a busser is accused of assaulting a coworker inside a restroom.
According to acting regional attorney Beatriz Andre, the investigation revealed that at least one hundred women were adversely affected by the hostile environment.
EEOC lawsuit and consent decree
EEOC sued Il Fornaio for allegedly creating a sexually hostile work environment, retaliating and constructively discharging workers in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The chain denied the allegations, asserting that it had taken reasonable steps to prevent harassment and that any adverse employment actions were based on legitimate business reasons. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.
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The consent decree in the Il Fornaio case requires its HR staff to attend three hours of live, interactive training, in person, each year for three years.
Managerial and supervisory employees, including general managers, assistant managers, chefs and sous chefs, must receive similar training.
The training must stress their obligation to promptly report and take appropriate preventative and corrective measures against potential or actual harassing behavior, as well as their obligation to investigate complaints.
EEOC Says Harassment Claims Ignored, Highlights HR Role
EEOC alleges that no corrective action was taken against harassers and that the HR department dismissed or failed to investigate women’s complaints. The agency says the case illustrates its efforts to combat sexual harassment in the restaurant industry.
Industry context and response
Matt Foley, director of marketing and creative services, said the restaurant “takes harassment seriously and will continue to do everything possible to prevent and eliminate harassment in the workplace.” He pointed to a low turnover rate as evidence that many employees view the environment positively.
