California Restaurant Chain Il Fornaio Settles Harassment Suit

Il Fornaio Agrees to Multi-Million Dollar Settlement

The California-based Italian restaurant chain il fornaio has agreed to pay $3 million to resolve a federal lawsuit concerning allegations of severe workplace misconduct. The legal action, brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, centered on claims that numerous female staff members faced continuous harassment.

According to federal officials, at least 100 female workers—many of whom were teenagers holding their first jobs—were affected by the hostile environment across multiple locations. Representatives for the company denied the allegations, stating that the agreement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing but a measure to avoid further litigation costs.

Details of the Allegations

The lawsuit outlined numerous instances of inappropriate behavior, ranging from forceful groping in restrooms to graphic comments regarding sex lives and bodies from male employees at various levels of the company. Complaints lodged by workers were frequently dismissed by management, and employees who reported issues sometimes faced retaliation, such as reduced hours, intimidation, or termination.

Legal documents noted that the company had eliminated its human resources department by July 2020, leaving workers with limited internal avenues for reporting misconduct. Affected locations spanned several cities, including Pasadena, Irvine, and Manhattan Beach.

Required Workplace Reforms

As part of the resolution, the restaurant chain is subjected to three years of company-wide workplace reforms. These measures include establishing a dedicated human resources function for each individual restaurant and appointing an external monitor to perform audits and guarantee compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, KTLA, San Francisco Chronicle.