‘Deeply shocked’: High-ranking staff members exit Swillhouse after scandal
The fallout continues for Swillhouse, with two senior staff members quitting off the back of damning allegations against the group.
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Another high-ranking staff member at Swillhouse has exited the Sydney hospitality group after revelations of sexual misconduct, assault and rampant drug and alcohol misuse.
The company – which runs six venues across the city – was the subject of multiple exposes published last month by The Sydney Morning Herald, sparking industry-wide fallout.
The reports featured allegations that Swillhouse had discriminated against female employees, ousted staff after they reported sexual assault, and encouraged employees to have sex with patrons and use drugs on duty.
CEO Anton Forte apologised following the coverage, and Safe Work NSW has since launched a probe into Swillhouse’s operations, which the company has said it’s “fully co-operating with”.
On Friday, editor of the group’s lifestyle publication Swill Mag, Myffy Rigby, took to Instagram to share she removed herself “immediately” from her workplace after The Herald’s first report.
“People have been asking about my situation regarding the Swillhouse allegations as reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, and my position on those as both a woman and professional,” Rigby wrote in her post.
“I became aware of these allegations after reading the article on August 21. I gave notice the next day and removed myself from the workplace immediately, and have returned since.
“I gave my formal written resignation on September 7.
“I have been deeply shocked by the allegations. My heart goes out to the women who have been subjected to the behaviours described in the article, and I stand in solidarity with them.”
Rigby’s announcement follows that of Swillhouse general manager Toby Hilton’s, who told staff in a company-wide email last week he was stepping away.
“The past few weeks have been very hard but an important lesson in realising that good actions or intent mean little if the experience is not consistent for all,” he said, according to The Herald’s Good Food.
“There is clearly a different reality between what we thought we had created versus what existed for some, for which I am truly sorry.”
He will continue to work for Swillhouse until “the ship is steadied in the coming weeks”.
Sources unable to comment publicly on the matter told the publication there have been additional resignations from Swillhouse venue employees.
An email sent out by the group last week, titled “A Better Swillhouse”, outlined its “deep regret” over the alleged incidents and how it intends to improve.
“We started Swillhouse with integrity and passion, but we messed up along the way, and we’re deeply sorry,” the email read.
“We are determined this will not happen again.”
Among the “significant steps” Swillhouse has vowed to take to ensure a better business is the hiring of former CEO of hospitality group Solotel, Justine Baker, who has joined the team as a strategic advisor.
Ms Baker, an industry veteran, “will have a broad remit to review our entire business operations and structure”, a Swillhouse spokesperson told Broadsheet.
“She will work with the executive team to implement any necessary changes with a view to rebuilding confidence and trust in Swillhouse.”
The Swillhouse group’s human resources manager, Hope Dawson, has also been promoted to head of human resources and joined its executive leadership team.
“Her promotion reflects her experience and invaluable contribution to the business over a number of years,” the spokesperson said.
“(And it’s) part of our commitment to build a better Swillhouse, including through a stronger, more diverse leadership team.”
The group has also hired consultants in “culture and transformation” (Lorraine Farah) and workplace health and safety (Gareth O’Keefe), demonstrating “our absolute commitment to learn from past mistakes and change the way we operate”.
Originally published as ‘Deeply shocked’: High-ranking staff members exit Swillhouse after scandal