Overview
On the evening of August 22, 24 hours after the publication of The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food's bombshell report on historical cases of sexual abuse, drug taking, mismanagement and widespread misogyny at Swillhouse venues, the embattled hospitality group — whose businesses include Restaurant Hubert, Le Foote and The Caterpillar Club — issued an apology via its social media channels.
Now, a fortnight on from the horrifying revelations of The SMH investigation, Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte has revealed a suite of changes to his business to ensure Swillhouse venues are safe places to work.
In a video posted to the Swillhouse Hospitality Instagram account, Forte once again apologised for his company's failures to its former staff.
"People were and are the heart of our business. Every success we've had, we owe to them," Forte said. "We wanted to create a culture of generosity and openness, but along the way, we messed up."
In a statement sent to Swillhouse's e-news subscribers, the company said it was building on improvements it had made to workplace culture and its HR practices in recent years, announcing the appointment of new senior roles within the company, albeit without identifying by name three of the four individuals filling those positions.
Described in the statement as "one of the most respected female leaders in the industry," a new Strategic Advisor will be assisting Swillhouse to "build a new-look, much-improved" company.
"As the former CEO of a leading hospitality company and a renowned champion of women in hospitality, she will bring her extensive experience — plus independence and honesty — to review our entire operations and guide us on how and where we need to change," the statement continues.
Two independent expert consultants — one in culture and transformation and a second advising on workplace health and safety — have also been recruited to help overhaul internal processes.
Swillhouse also announced the promotion of Hope Dawson, its Group Human Resources Manager, to the executive leadership team. The statement added that the company is fully cooperating with the Safe Work NSW inquiry into its historical failures.
Cole Bennetts
Another major Australian hospitality group, Merivale, has also faced allegations of downplayed sexual abuse, toxic workplace practices, drug use among staff and a culture of misogyny at its venues, revealed in a major investigation published by the ABC on Tuesday, September 4. A second ABC report, published on Thursday, September 5, also revealed that CCTV footage of "hundreds" of patrons having sex, exposing themselves, falling down and urinating in public spaces within Merivale venues was shown at its annual awards night, The Merivales, in 2017.
In response to the most recent allegations by the ABC, a statement from Merivale responded saying: "Merivale venues are comprehensively monitored by CCTV, a matter which is notified to patrons and staff with clear signage… It is lawful for Merivale to capture this footage and there can be no reasonable expectation of privacy for any patron attending."
If you need to speak to someone about an experience you have had or are seeking information, please contact 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
Top image: Kristoffer Paulsen