OWNER ALLEGEDLY EXPOSED HIS GENITALS AND ASKED FOR ORAL SEX
A Honolulu-based restaurant [Aged Artisans LLC and Surfeit Group LLC, doing business as Square Barrels], and its human resources company, [ALTRES, Inc., d/b/a SimplicityHR] were sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for alleged “sexual harassment” in the workplace. Apparently, a co-owner of the restaurant is said to have exposed himself, asked gay employees for oral sex, and repeatedly commented about their sexual orientation
While complaints were filed, the HR company purportedly failed to undertake an adequate investigation and the misbehavior is said to have continued unaddressed.
Because such conduct violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No.: 1:23-cv-00208-SOM-WRP), seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief.
In addition to agreeing to pay $115,000, the companies will revise their workplace related policies and practices and will remain subject to the court’s jurisdiction for a three-year period.
By way of a written statement, Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Los Angeles District, noted that. “The EEOC continues to see sexual harassment in the restaurant and hospitality industries, including against members of the LGBTQI+ community …. Employers should take notice of the measures in this decree and consider putting in place similar measures to prevent and address harassment. We are encouraged by the defendants’ good faith efforts to cooperate and enter into an early settlement.”
Think they’re gay about that?
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