Restaurant Employee Harassment is no joke! Create an Emotionally and Physically Safe Environment for Your Team
The Rezku Team
As a restaurant owner or manager, one of your top priorities should be fostering a positive, respectful workplace culture. Unfortunately, the restaurant industry has long grappled with pervasive issues of harassment, bullying, and discrimination. These toxic behaviors not only harm employees’ well-being and morale but can also severely impact your business through high turnover, legal risks, and reputational damage.
The statistics are staggering - surveys have found that 90% of women and 70% of men working in restaurants report experiencing harassment on the job. However, incidents often go unreported as victims feel unsupported or fear retaliation. It’s a systemic problem that can no longer be ignored.
What Constitutes Harassment?
Harassment comes in many forms, including:
Verbal Harassment
- Offensive jokes, insults, derogatory comments about someone’s race, gender, age, religion, etc.
- Spreading malicious rumors or gossip
- Making threats of violence
Physical Harassment
- Unwanted touching, groping, assault
- Intimidating invasion of personal space
- Vandalism of personal belongings
Visual/Non-Verbal Harassment
- Displaying offensive objects, images, or gestures
- Leering, making sexually suggestive gestures
Power Harassment
- Abusing authority to demean, bully, or threaten subordinates
- Withholding deserved promotions, raises, or opportunities
- Yelling, using aggressive language
Harassment creates a hostile work environment that interferes with victims’ ability to do their jobs effectively. It is unacceptable behavior that violates employment laws.
The Legal and Financial Risks
Allowing a culture of harassment and discrimination to fester in your restaurant opens you up to immense legal risks and financial consequences. Under federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employers are required to provide a workplace free from harassment based on protected characteristics. State and local laws also prohibit harassment and discrimination.
Victims can file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or state agencies, leading to potential lawsuits, damages, fines, and expensive legal fees. In recent years, many restaurants have paid out hefty six and seven-figure settlements for failing to address pervasive harassment issues.
But the risks go beyond just legal liability. A reputation for tolerating harassment will severely hamper your ability to attract and retain top talent in a tight labor market. Employee turnover, productivity losses, and a toxic culture can be enormously costly for any business.
Implementing a Comprehensive Anti-Harassment Strategy
Clearly, taking a proactive stance against all forms of harassment is both an ethical obligation and a savvy business decision for restaurant operators. An effective anti-harassment initiative requires a comprehensive, sustained effort:
1. Develop Clear Policies and Reporting Procedures
Work with an employment lawyer or HR expert to draft robust anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies that define unacceptable behaviors, outline investigation protocols, and specify disciplinary actions. Be sure policies apply to all staff, managers, vendors, and customers.
Establish safe, confidential methods for employees to report incidents, such as an anonymous hotline or online reporting system. Make it clear there will be no retaliation for filing complaints.
2. Provide Extensive Training for All
Don’t let the policies gather dust - invest in live, interactive training for all staff, from dishwashers to managers. Help them understand what constitutes harassment, the profound impacts, and their roles in creating a respectful culture.
Provide supplemental training to managers on properly handling complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, and promoting a harassment-free environment.
3. Lead by Example and Enforce Consistently
Owners and managers must model the behavior they want to see. Never demean staff, participate in harmful jokes, or ignore signs of harassment. Respond swiftly to all reported incidents with a fair, impartial investigation.
Apply disciplinary actions consistently and proportionally, up to termination if warranted. Do not give senior staff or prized employees a pass - that undermines the entire system.
4. Foster an Inclusive, Respectful Culture
Beyond policies and training, work to build an organizational culture of mutual respect, teamwork, and inclusion. Promote diversity and give all staff a voice. Provide anti-bias, bystander intervention, and conflict resolution training.
Consider an employee assistance program offering free counseling and resources for harassment victims. Make it clear you are committed to employees’ dignity, safety, and wellbeing.
5. Review and Update Regularly
Harassment prevention is an ongoing effort that requires continuous improvement and accountability. Conduct anonymous staff surveys, review reporting data, and update policies regularly based on areas for improvement.
Supervisors and owners should receive refresher training as needed. Celebrate progress in developing a positive culture, but never become complacent.
The Bottom Line
Allowing harassment, bullying, and other toxic behaviors to persist in your restaurant is detrimental to your employees and your business. It’s time for the industry to reckon with this systemic issue. By implementing strong policies, comprehensive training, fair enforcement, and an inclusive, respectful workplace culture, you can foster an environment where all staff feel safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work. It will pay dividends through higher retention, productivity, and an enviable employer brand. Your patrons will appreciate dining in an establishment that treats its team with dignity.
Rezku is a restaurant management technology company deeply committed to the values of teamwork, cooperation and mutual respect. That’s why our customers rave about their experiences, and find working with Rezku to be a joy unlike other POS companies they’ve worked with.
If you’re ready for something different from the company that provides your technology, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Phone: 844-697-3958 x2
Email: Sales@Rezku.com