A report issued by the Restaurant Opportunities Center of LA found that the 276,000 people employed in the city's vast network of restaurants and bars are at high risk for many types of health, safety and employment violations, including sexual harassment.
Our Orange County sexual harassment lawyers understand many L.A. residents turn to waiting tables or bartending to earn extra money or make ends meet. And, while there are many outstanding operators, there are more than a few shady dealers in the mix. Often, they get away with it because employees are either afraid to make a report or are convinced it won't do any good.
Those facing workplace harassment or other violations of their rights should understand that making a report places them in a protected class. Should a restauranteur seek to retaliate, he or she can be held responsible for that as well.
The L.A. Weekly reports the study found sexual harassment and racial discrimination are pervasive problems -- with Latino workers filling most of the low-level jobs with few opportunities for advancement.
The report, "Behind the Kitchen Door," was released on Valentine's Day, which is the biggest day of the year in the restaurant business. The restaurant industry accounts for 1 in 10 jobs in LA. The 13-month study was conducted in conjunction with UCLA and compiled more than 500 worker surveys.
Among the findings:
-89 percent of employees provide no health insurance.
-89 percent provide no sick leave.
-80 percent do not receive regular raises.
-75 percent had never been promoted.
-44 percent had been subjected to overtime pay violations.
-29 percent had experienced safety risks.
-43 percent had suffered burns.
-42 percent had suffered cuts.
-Nearly 1 in 10 reports experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment from management.
If you need to speak to a sexual harassment attorney in Orange County, contact the California Legal Team at (310) 497-0321 to discuss your rights.
