Sexual Harassment Suit Settled with Cheesecake Factory
It appears that the Cheesecake Factory was allowing some of its male employees to be treated more like beefcake. In a settlement agreement, Cheesecake Factory must pay six employees a total of $345,000 for sexual harassment. The suit claimed that management knew about and tolerated the behavior.
The men complained repeatedly to management that they were treated in a demeaning and degrading manner by other male members of the staff. They described inappropriate touching, simulation of rape and making sexual remarks. On one occasion managers witnessed the men being dragged, kicking and screaming, into a cooler and did nothing. Even the police department investigation got them nowhere.
Now, in order to avoid further legal action, Cheesecake Factory has signed a consent decree. While the decree does not acknowledge any wrongdoing, it agrees to have sexual harassment training for Cheesecake Factory employees and to appoint an ombudsman to investigate and deal with any complaints of this nature. Failure to do so could result in fines being levied by the court.
Tennessee and federal law protects workers from workplace sexual harassment. If you feel that you’ve been a victim of this type of behavior please contact us at Employment.HHPFirm.com or call us at 1-800-705-2121.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
