In August, the Sydney Morning Herald published sexual misconduct allegations at Swillhouse, the Sydney-based hotel group. The complaints range from inappropriate to criminal, alleging that the group fosters an unsafe work environment, particularly for its female staff. This week, the title added to the allegations, with a trio of former employees recorded to journalists Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat claiming they were mistreated while working at the Caterpillar Club and Hubert.

Former Caterpillar Club supervisor Reuby Kahl and former Hubert employees Claire Jones and Brittany Rowe allege they were sexually assaulted by co-workers — at work or at home — and say Swillhouse management failed to respond adequately to their complaints. The trio joins bartenders Jenna Hemsworth and Rachelle Hair in allegations against the group (Le Footé, Caterpillar Club, Shady Pine Room, Hubert, Alberto’s living room And The Baxter Innplus the now closed Frankie’s Pizza).

In August, the group said that “harassment and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated at Swillhouse.” The topics covered in recent media cover a wide range of issues over a period of several years, dating back to 2008. Over this 16-year period, we are under no illusion; Swillhouse hasn’t always been a perfect workplace. But that’s not the company we are today and certainly not the company we strive to be.

But the most recent reports claim that a culture of misconduct is alive and well within the hotel group. Two former Swillhouse managers claim their colleagues were instructed to find reasons to fire Jones after she reported being sexually assaulted while on duty at Hubert. Another Swillhouse director denies the allegations. “It’s happening now,” Jones told the SMH. “I will not accept their lies or their empty excuses. I will not be silenced.

Rowe alleges that a co-worker of Hubert’s “brutally assaulted” her at her home in 2021. She reported the incident to management, asking to be put on different teams than her co-worker. But she had to work alongside him. “They let him continue working there and they offered me no resources, no support, nothing,” Rowe says.

Kahl reports that he was “intentionally, firmly and disgustingly groped” between his legs by a co-worker while cleaning glasses at the Caterpillar Club in May. He reported it, the problem was escalated, and the alleged perpetrator was fired. That same month, when the management team arrived at the Club to drink, Kahl said CEO and co-founder Anton Forte told him to improve his attitude at work, suggesting he take time off if necessary.

Strong has he has since left his position as CEOremaining with his company as general manager. He remembers the interaction with Kahl differently, but a Swillhouse spokesperson acknowledged the situation could have been handled better.

Large format contacted Swillhouse for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

In September, CEO Anton Forte responded to the Herald” reported with an Instagram video and an email titled “A Better Swillhouse.” He apologized to the team and the “wider community”, mentioning his “deep regrets” and communicating the steps the group is taking to improve the condition of its venues.

The email goes on to outline “significant steps” being taken for a better business – including a number of new hires. Justine Baker, former CEO of Solotel, joined the team as a strategic advisor. Lorraine Farah works as a ‘culture and transformation’ consultant for Swillhouse, while Gareth O’Keefe is now the group’s workplace health and safety consultant.

In June, before HeraldDuring the initial briefing, a company-wide email asked staff not to speak to the media, following anonymous allegations on Instagram. “If you are ever contacted by the media, our strict policy is not to comment,” an official emailed to Caterpillar Club staff.

THE SMHIt is previous reports contained allegations that “recordings of people having sex at (Frankie’s) without their consent” were distributed among the Swillhouse staff, bartenders allegedly used coded language to signal when a busty woman walked into the Baxter Inn, managers showed violent porn to female bartenders, and drug use at all hours.

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

If you have experienced sexual harassment in a hospitality workplace or witnessed an incident, read activist Jamie Bucirde’s advice for handling the situation.

If you would like to speak with someone about an experience you have had or would like more information, please call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.

You can also alert Large format to bad behavior of any kind in the hospitality industry via [email protected]. We cannot act on specific advice, but your valuable information may inform future coverage.