Reports of sexual assault at Swillhouse, Caterpillar Club

In August Herald of the morning in Sydney published allegations of sexual harassment at Swillhouse, a Sydney-based hospitality group. The claims range from inappropriate to criminal and maintain that the group creates an unsafe work environment – ​​especially for its women. This week’s headline added to the allegations, among others: three former employees on the register reporters Eric Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat with claims that they experienced violence while working at The Caterpillar Club and Hubert.

Former Caterpillar Club supervisor Reuby Kahl and former Hubert employee Claire Jones and Brittany Rowe allege they experienced sexual assault by colleagues – at work or at home – and say Swillhouse management failed to respond appropriately to their claims. The trio joins bartenders Jenny Hemsworth and Rachelle Hair in allegations against the group (Le Foote, Caterpillar Club, Shady Pines Salon, Hubert, Alberto’s living room AND Baxter Innplus now-closed Frankie’s Pizza).

In August, the group stated that “harassment and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated at Swillhouse. Topics covered in recent media coverage cover a wide range of issues over the years, dating back to 2008. Over these 16 years, we have no illusions; Swillhouse wasn’t always an ideal place to work. But that’s not the company we are today and certainly not the company we strive to be.”

However, recent reports indicate that there is a vibrant culture of misconduct within the hotel group. Two former Swillhouse managers claim their colleagues were instructed to find reasons to fire Jones after she reported she had experienced sexual assault while working at Hubert. Another Swillhouse manager denies the allegations. “It’s happening now,” Jones said SMH. “I will not accept their lies or empty apologies. I will not be silenced.”

Rowe claims that in 2021, Hubert’s co-worker “brutally attacked” her at home. She reported the incident to management and asked to be assigned to different shifts than her colleague. But she had to cooperate with him. “They let him continue to work there and offered me no resources, no support, nothing,” Rowe says.

Kahl reports that a co-worker “deliberately, forcefully and disgustingly groped him between the legs” while cleaning his glasses in May at The Caterpillar Club. He reported it, the case was escalated, and the alleged perpetrator was fired. That same month, when the leadership team arrived at the club for drinks, Kahl claims that CEO and co-founder Anton Forte told him to improve his attitude at work, suggesting he take time off if necessary.

Forte has it since he stepped down as CEOremaining in his company as managing director. He recalls the interaction with Kahl differently, but a Swillhouse spokesman admitted the situation could have been handled better.

Information sheet reached out to Swillhouse for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.

In September, CEO Anton Forte responded to HeraldReported via Instagram video and email titled “A Better Swillhouse.” He apologized to the team and the “broader community”, mentioning his “deep regret” and providing information on steps the group is taking to improve the condition of its facilities.

The email went on to describe “significant steps” taken towards better operations – including the number of new employees. Justine Baker, former CEO of Solotel, has joined the team as a strategic advisor. Lorraine Farah works as a culture and transformation consultant at Swillhouse and Gareth O’Keefe is currently a consultant for the health and safety group.

In June before Heraldfollowing anonymous allegations on Instagram, the initial disclosure sent a company-wide email instructing employees not to speak to the media. “If you are ever approached by the media, it is our strict policy not to comment,” the manager emailed The Caterpillar Club staff.

The SMH‘S previous reports included allegations of Swillhouse’s team distributing “recordings of people having sex at (Frankie’s) without their consent,” bartenders allegedly using coded language to signal the entrance of a large-breasted woman into the Baxter Inn, managers showing bartenders violent pornography, and 24-hour drug use.

Safe Work NSW is currently investigating Swillhouse and the wider hospitality industry for alleged misconduct.

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace or witnessed an incident, read the article Activist Jamie Bucirde’s advice on how to deal with the situation.

If you would like to speak to someone about your experience or for more information, call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.

You can also alert Information sheet to any inappropriate behavior in the hospitality industry by contacting [email protected]. We can’t act on specific advice, but your valuable information could impact your future insurance coverage.