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On June 1, a complaint alleging workplace sexual harassment was filed in the Chicago office of the federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) against the Tilted Kilt bar and restaurant.
The complaint, filed on behalf of 10 current and former waitresses, alleges that a manager at the downtown Chicago location has engaged in inappropriate and sexually harassing behavior repeatedly since the restaurant opened in 2009. Specifically the complaint alleges: a manager made sexually explicit comments about pornography, grabbed them, shot water down their outfits with a straw, and licked on their ears.
Apparently local and national management was aware of the sexual harassment complaints and did nothing. The EEOC complaint is the first step to clear the way for a federal lawsuit against Tilted Kilt for sexual harassment.
Tilted Kilt is a national sports bar restaurant chain where, like Hooter’s and Twin Peaks, the waitress uniforms are designed to be sexy and tantalizing. Tilted Kilt was the:
brainchild of successful restaurateur Mark DiMartino. His vision saw a contemporary, Celtic-themed sports pub staffed with beautiful servers. And guess what the uniforms would be…knee-high socks and short, sexy plaid kilts with matching plaid bra’s under white camp shirts tantalizingly tied to show off the midriff. – TiltedKilt.com
Like similar bar restaurants, Hooter’s and Twin Peaks, Tilted Kilt is extremely popular both with patrons and servers alike. However, because these restaurants more obviously depend on the sex appeal of their waitresses than other establishments, they must ensure – at the both the corporate and franchise level – that they respond to the increased vulnerability of the staff to sexual harassment from managers and patrons.
These employers must address sexual harassment policies proactively and repeatedly at all levels. In addition, training and clarification as to what is sexual harassment and how to report instances without fear of retribution.
The selling of sex or sex appeal, does not excuse an employer from ensuring that all employees clearly understand what the organization considers appropriate and inappropriate behavior. In addition, these organizations must develop and implement clear polices and procedures to prevent and respond to possible violations of corporate policy in order to protect their workers and themselves.
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Additional Reading
- Workplace Sexual Harassment & Mediation
- Captain Owen Honors Sexually Explicit Movies vs. The Navy
- Defining Appropriate Workplace Behavior
- Bullying A Type Of Workplace Violence
- When Is Mediation Appropriate
- Reducing Workplace Conflict: Employee Training
- Workplace Mediation
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Tags: CFR, Chicago, conflict, eeoc, employee mediation benefit, hr, lawsuit, Mediation, sexual harassment, tilted kilt, workplace, Workplace Conflict, workplace mediation
