EEOC Sues Nevada Restaurant Operators for Sexual Misconduct, Highlighting Harassment in US Workplaces

​Sexual harassment claims against three separate restaurant groups in Nevada are among the most recent to be filed this year. High-profile claims also have been made against the president of a large business group and a well-known pop singer.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently sued Nevada Restaurant Services Inc., Bouchon, and Mariscos El Puerto and La Catrina for allegations that include sexual assault of a housekeeper, sexual assault, sexual solicitations, sexual comments, inappropriate touching, stalking and other inappropriate behaviors.

Additionally, the EEOC filed a separate suit against Mariscos El Puerto and La Catrina alleging harassment towards gay and lesbian employees, which included physical assault and verbal harassment.

“We know harassment occurs in the hospitality industry on a regular basis,” EEOC Los Angeles District Director Christine Park-Gonzalez said in a statement. “Young workers, low-wage earners and those for whom English may not be their first language are often targeted. We are grateful these individuals were brave enough to come forward and report the harassment they endured.”

Spokespeople for Nevada Restaurant Services Inc., Bouchon or Mariscos El Puerto and La Catrina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. If one is provided, this article will be updated to add it.

SHRM Online gathered additional news on this topic.

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(The New York Times)

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(Variety)

Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Between fiscal year 2018 and 2021, harassment charges—including those involving sexual harassment— made up about 35 percent of all complaints received by the EEOC. Nearly 80 percent of all sexual-harassment charges were filed by women. Learn ways to prevent sexual harassment in your workplace and why online training programs aren’t always effective.

(SHRM Online)

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