In May 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Swami’s Café and Honey’s Bistro, a chain of casual counter and table-service restaurants in San Diego, California, alleging that the company allowed a hostile work environment for female employees, including some teenagers. The lawsuit alleges that male supervisors and co-workers at the company made offensive sex-based remarks and advances toward female employees, who were also touched inappropriately.
The lawsuit also alleges that the company retaliated against female employees who complained about the harassment. The EEOC is seeking monetary damages for the victims of the harassment, as well as injunctive relief to prevent the company from continuing to engage in discriminatory practices.
The lawsuit is still pending, but it has already drawn attention to the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. It is also a reminder of the importance of companies having policies in place to prevent and address sexual harassment.
