Cheesecake Factory Dishes Out $345,000 For Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
The Cheesecake Factory Inc. is paying $345,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit alleging six male employees were subjected to sexual harassment. The lawsuit was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), on behalf of the males and also includes allegations that the company was on notice about the sexual harassment and tolerated repeated sexual assaults against the employees by a group of male kitchen staffers.
Some of the salacious details in the lawsuit include allegations the alleged abusers directly touched employees’ genitals, forced employees into repeated episodes of simulated rape and made sexually charged remarks. The EEOC contends that management was aware of the sexual harassment, were given formal complaints and did nothing to stop it. At the end the males called the police. This type of behavior can stay with employees their entire life and can alter their life. It is outrageous that management did nothing to stop the sexual harassment.
“The evidence was clear, and everyone knew about it,” said Mary Jo O’Neill, regional attorney of the EEOC’s Phoenix District Office. “Behind the lavish decor that the company boasts on its Web site was a horribly dysfunctional workplace where male workers lived in fear.”
As more workers are faced with tougher economic times and less chance to change employment, this type of behavior may go unnoticed or unreported. It is very important to report this behavior and contact an employment attorney to protect your rights if you are the victim of sexual harassment or other types of discrimination. Attorney Peter LaSorsa handles many cases like this in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.
