CW: Sexual Assault
SafeWork NSW is investigating allegations of workplace sexual harassment, assault and drug abuse against a Sydney-based hospitality group.
It comes after The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) led an investigation into Swillhouse, which owns several venues including Restaurant Hubert and The Baxter Inn.
SMH published a series of accounts from former staff, who accused Swillhouse of a toxic workplace culture that discriminates against women.
The NSW work safety regulator has now launched its own inquiries.
Founded in 2008, Swillhouse employs over 300 staff across its six Sydney venues, including the Caterpillar Club, Shady Pines and Le Foote.
SMH interviewed several former Swillhouse staff for a recent investigation. Last week, it published findings of alleged misogyny, sexual harassment, cover-ups and drug abuse across several Swillhouse venues.
“One of Sydney’s top bar and restaurant groups allegedly pushed female staff out of the company after reporting sexual assaults,” SMH wrote.
The SMH investigation reported male bartenders ranked female customers’ attractiveness and encouraged staff to have sex with patrons.
SMH journalists Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat spoke to five women who used to work for Swillhouse.
One former Hubert staffer said she was raped in the restaurant toilets by a colleague. After reporting the incident, the woman claims senior management reduced her working hours.
SMH also detailed allegations of a widespread culture of excessive drinking and drug abuse across multiple Swillhouse venues.
Swillhouse response
Swillhouse co-founder and CEO Anton Forte told SMH that there’s a “no-drinking and no-drugs policy” for staff during shifts, following the abuse of a previous “one staff drink” policy.
Anton Forte is not personally accused of any misconduct.
In a social media post last week, Swillhouse said the allegations pertain to “how Swillhouse used to operate in the past.”
“We sincerely apologise to anyone who has felt hurt, unsafe, unprotected, triggered, or unheard,” it said.
SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW told TDA that the allegations against Swillhouse are “serious” and “concerning,” and that the regulator has launched its own inquiries.
Swillhouse could face major financial penalties if SafeWork finds any breaches of the state’s Work Health and Safety Act by Swillhouse.
In a post to X, NSW Labor MP Sally Sitou said: “I’ve had great nights out at Swillhouse venues before, and I hope to have more. But I won’t be going back there until they can genuinely clean up the culture of these workplaces.”
Industry
Gourmet Traveller, a leading Australian food publication, has removed Hubert from its annual restaurant guide, citing concerns over “standards of ethical workplace behaviour.”
Forte was a board member of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA).
However, ARCA has confirmed he has stepped down from the role until the claims against Swillhouse are “thoroughly investigated.”
1800 RESPECT
Call: 1800 737 732
Text: 0458 737 732
