Il Fornaio agrees to pay million to resolve sexual harassment lawsuit.
Il Fornaio, an established Italian restaurant chain operating 14 locations across California and Las Vegas, has reached a settlement in a long-standing federal lawsuit that alleged the company fostered a sexually hostile work environment while also retaliating against female staff members. The settlement, announced on October 13, involves a payment of million, which will address the claims made on behalf of at least 100 women and teenage employees affected by the workplace conditions at Il Fornaio.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which facilitated the lawsuit, stated that the issues at hand reflect systemic failings in the company’s handling of harassment claims. The allegations include instances of severe sexual harassment, with reports of inappropriate physical contact and demands for sexual favors from female employees, many of whom were adolescents. At the time of the lawsuit’s filing in August 2022, Il Fornaio had already closed several locations, including its restaurants in Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach, and Pasadena, the latter ceasing operations in early 2024 due to lease complications.
In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement mandates that Il Fornaio adhere to specific measures aimed at improving workplace conditions. For the next three years, the company must implement a series of policies designed to prevent further incidents of harassment and to support the employees impacted by the previous work environment. These measures include ensuring ongoing confidential discussions for current employees and maintaining a dedicated human resources function with an open-door policy for complaints.
Moreover, the restaurant chain is instructed to establish a hotline for employees to report grievances, which will be available seven days a week. Il Fornaio is also responsible for publicizing this hotline and revising its complaint procedures, ensuring that all employees receive updated workplace policies and undergo training focused on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
The allegations detailed in the lawsuit highlight a troubling pattern of behavior where both supervisors and staff subjected female employees to harassment. The complaints received by Il Fornaio’s management stretched back to as early as 2016, with employees reporting a lack of adequate response or support when they sought to address the issues. Instead of constructive action, the employees alleged retaliation that included reduced work hours and increased burdens.
The restaurant chain, which now operates nine locations in Northern California and one in Las Vegas, faces a significant challenge in rebuilding its reputation and restoring trust among customers and workers alike following these troubling revelations. The outcome of this case serves as a cautionary tale within the restaurant industry, emphasizing the crucial need for established protocols to protect employees and maintain a safe working environment.
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