Former Tavern on the Green Hostess Tells All About Harassment

Last month Tavern on the Green settled a discrimination lawsuit for $2.2 million dollars; today the Times has a detailed profile on the lead complainant, an East African immigrant who grew up in refugee camps before escaping to the U.S. as a teenager. She says that while working at Tavern as a hostess, “I was asked to perform sexual favors in great detail by this manager. And when I refused, I was told that I was not going to get the schedule I wanted.” In case anyone needs more reasons to shun Tavern, she goes on.

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By John Del Signore in Food on July 2, 2008 11:25 AM

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cucarachita

I have hostessed in may fancy places and the only people who showed me any respect were the waiters. The management totally harassed me, and the busboys followed their lead.

Hostesses are hired for being pretty and "nice" and non-confrontational, that's what a restaurant needs at their door.

But idiots in management often mistake a hostess' congeniality for a come on, and/or doormat-hood. That is why hostesses are so often the victim of harassment, and also why it takes them so long to suddenly realize they're being abused and don't have to take it anymore.

It was so pathetic to see how the busboys followed the lead of the management in every restaurant I worked in. And I'm talking about fancy places here, abroad, everywhere. It's a social problem that restaurants have. They think the hostess is like some kind of communal girlfriend to everyone in the restaurant, and resent it when she resists being handled.

brianmcgann

Tavern on the Green was the worst dining experience I had in my 15 years of living in NY, just edging out Gonzalez Y Gonzalez. Shocking that people still go there for mediocre cafeteria food and shockingly bad service.

ANGRYGOD11

We know this is happening in some places, but not only do we do nothing, we beg for reservations. As much as I loath Sharpton, it would be nice to have someone like him to not only demand these places treat their employees like human beings, but demand WE insist the places we spend our money treat people decently.

I also want french fries and pizza to be good for my health and the homeless to urinate perfume.

interlard

There seems to be conflicting testimony as to whether or not the harassment really happened in this case. However, we all know this happens in *some* places and more people need to speak up.