In 2012, the EEOC filed a lawsuit against the owner/operator of a Hurricane Grill and Wings franchise in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. The lawsuit alleged that the business allowed its female employees to be sexually harassed by a customer, who was a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy.
The harassment reportedly included inappropriate touching and sexual comments, along with propositions for sexual activities. After one of the female servers sought legal assistance and filed a complaint with the EEOC, she was terminated.
The case was settled with the restaurant agreeing to pay $200,000. In addition to the monetary settlement, the new management of the franchise (Hurricane Wings Management of Royal Palm Beach, LLC, which took over after the lawsuit was filed) agreed to revise their sexual harassment policy, provide training to all employees, post notices affirming their commitment to a harassment-free workplace, and continue monitoring and reporting to the EEOC. They also formally requested that the harassing customer stay away from the restaurant.
Key Lessons Learned From this Case:
- This case highlights the employer’s responsibility to protect employees from harassment, including that which may come from customers.
- It also demonstrates the potential legal repercussions of retaliation against employees who report harassment.
Learn more about Florida Labor Laws through our detailed guide.
