Sex, sleaze and hospitality
The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Good Food reveal alleged misconduct at some of Australia’s top restaurant groups.
Investigation
‘I will not be silenced’: More Swillhouse staff allege sexual assaults, drug taking and workplace abuse
Three staff say they were sexually abused by colleagues and that the company marginalised them. Their claims come on top of earlier allegations by other Swillhouse workers.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
‘One step from being a brothel’: Sex, drugs, harassment alleged in Ivy penthouse
An extensive investigation has revealed claims of exploitation of female staff at hospitality giant Merivale. The company denies this.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
Merivale steps down from restaurant association, Hemmes tells staff he is ‘devastated’
Merivale chief executive Justin Hemmes says he is “devastated” by allegations levelled at his company.
- by Bianca Hrovat and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Sex, sleaze and Swillhouse: The sinister side of the glitzy hospitality scene
One of Sydney’s top bar and restaurant groups allegedly pushed female staff out of the company after reporting sexual assaults and encouraged staff to have sex with patrons and take drugs on duty.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
‘I hope you learn’: Two brave women go public with claims against Swillhouse
Rachelle “Rocky” Hair was the first female bartender at Swillhouse venues and Jenna Hemsworth was Australian Bartender of the Year in 2018. They won’t be silenced.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
‘Deeply concerned’: NSW government weighs in on Swillhouse allegations
But Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham stopped short of backing a federal Labor MP’s boycott of the Sydney restaurant group’s venues.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Inside the Herald’s investigation into sex and sleaze in Sydney’s hospitality industry
This is how the Herald uncovered allegations of sexual assaults and drug-taking at a top Sydney restaurant group.
- by Bevan Shields and Sarah Norris
Exclusive
Bartender of the Year alleges sexual assault at Swillhouse as SafeWork NSW probes claims
The NSW government authority will examine the disturbing allegations at hospitality group Swillhouse, as bartender Jenna Hemsworth identifies herself as a complainant.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
Exclusive
Swillhouse scandal: The sordid bet that unfolded behind the bank vault door at Baxter Inn
Graphic content: When hospitality group Swillhouse opened a new whisky bar, the all-male team was issued a challenge: a special prize for being to the first to have sex with a customer.
- by Bianca Hrovat and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Swillhouse cancels festival after sponsors and musicians pull out amid allegations
The company said it was “heartbroken” by the sexual assault allegations as it pleaded with staff and suppliers not to abandon them.
- by Bianca Hrovat and Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte stands down from restaurant association board
Revelations in a Herald and Good Food investigation triggered immediate industry blowback as sponsors, artists and partners pulled out of Swillhouse’s upcoming festival.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat
‘It’s a toxic culture’: The sexual assault reckoning in the hospitality industry
Bars are common sites of abuse but fine-dining restaurants are not immune, and cultural change is urgently needed.
- by Dani Valent
Editorial
Swillhouse blues are a warning sign for hospitality industry
A brutal and highly toxic male culture has crept into some Sydney nightclubs, where sexual assault and sleaze have come to be tolerated with almost callous nonchalance.
- The Herald's View
Opinion
My daughter was a bartender. Like me, she had to endure the gropers
Seriously, despite #MeToo, there remains a 1980s tolerance of bad behaviour in the hospitality industry.
- by Tania Ewing
Opinion
The Good Food Guide drops Swillhouse venues, adds workplace culture award
It’s the biggest evolution to the Guide’s approach to reviews in its four-decade history.
- by Sarah Norris
‘We need to be part of the tide that lifts’: How hospo is tackling its dark side
A new award will shine a light on positive initiatives. And after explosive coverage of toxic behaviour, many are hopeful that change is afoot.
- by Dani Valent
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5k3u8