Famed New York City Restaurant Closes After Sexual Harassment Allegations
February 20, 2020
A famous New York City restaurant is closing after the release of multiple sexual harassment allegations against its owner. The victims included 11 women who worked at the Spotted Pig restaurant. The New York Attorney General stated that the victims suffered from a hostile and unsafe work environment. The victims dealt with multiple acts of workplace sexual harassment, including unwanted touching. The owner also asked the victims to take nude photographs. The victims received firings after reporting the harassment. The owner will pay $240,000 dollars in total to the victims. Similarly, the restaurant should have given 20 percent of its profits to the victims, however, the restaurant’s closure may affect this part of the settlement.
How to Identify Workplace Sexual Harassment
Unfortunately, there are many victims of workplace sexual harassment who are unaware of their rights. Others believe that reporting workplace sexual harassment is not worth the retaliation. However, it is crucial that the victims identify harassing behaviors and take legal action. Workplace sexual harassment often includes:
- Unwanted touching
- Sexual advancements
- Offensive comments about a particular gender
- Requests for sexual favors
- Sending sexually explicit media
- Exposing oneself to another person
- Making job advancements dependent on sexual favors
It is important to note that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will not act for simple teasing, however, it acts when harassing acts lead to a hostile work environment.
Damage of Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is damaging to both the victims and the organization itself. Victims can often develop anxiety or depression resulting from the harassment, leading them to avoid work. A victim may feel that they have to submit to sexual advancements to advance in their careers. Similarly, the victim might avoid reporting sexual harassment in fear of facing retaliation. This is particularly true if the harasser is in an executive position.
Sexual harassment is also bad for an organization. First, it tends to ruin a business’ reputation, often leading to lost revenue and customer loyalty. Similarly, the business may lose efficient productivity. This loss of productivity tends to stem from low employee morale, which can happen in a hostile work environment. In short, ending sexual harassment and the culture that surrounds it is in everyone’s best interest.
Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Advocate for Victims of Workplace Sexual Harassment
If you are a victim of workplace sexual harassment, contact a Cherry Hill employment lawyer at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. We know that taking legal steps after dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace can be difficult. Our lawyers display compassion and advise sexual harassment victims throughout the duration of the legal process. Contact us online or call us at 215-569-1999 for a free consultation. Located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, we proudly serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Marlton, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel.
