We’ve all read the concerning allegations five women have made against Swillhouse Group, formerly one of the most successful and inspiring hospitality businesses in the country.
The fallout from the two-part story published by The Sydney Morning Herald has been swift – as it should be for any operation, big or small.
The group’s venues were fast axed from awards lists, with many patrons cancelling bookings and avoiding Restaurant Hubert, the Caterpillar Club, Le Foote, Alberto’s Lounge, Baxter Inn, and Shady Pines – venues that would typically be packed out.
There’s no doubt Swillhouse’s former and current employees have been failed. The allegations are shocking, saddening, and enraging. But first and foremost, we must acknowledge the suffering the survivors have experienced as well as their bravery in coming forward with their stories.
The hospitality business released a statement on social media about “how Swillhouse used to operate”, apologising to “anyone who has felt hurt, unsafe, unprotected, triggered, or unheard”.
But being accountable doesn’t un-do the past, with many now pointing the finger at the underbelly of the industry – one that is fuelled by alcohol, drugs, and a boy’s club mentality where anything goes – including abuse and assault.
Every hospitality worker deserves to feel safe in their workplace, and the fact of the matter is these occurrences should never happen – they have no place in our industry – but the reality is, they have happened, and will continue to occur unless we collectively change.
This starts at the top. It means the implementation of safe work procedures, proactive management, and taking action to protect and believe staff when unacceptable breaches of safety occur.
There is a long road ahead, and it shouldn’t take suffering to usher in much-needed change. I hope all operators take this opportunity to analyse their workforce and ensure staff are taken care of.
We have all witnessed how a culture built on recklessness teamed with a lack of accountability and action can cause irreparable damage to even the most successful businesses – it’s a timely reminder to do better. Your people must be protected at all costs.
