SafeWork NSW investigating Swillhouse hospitality group after staff allege harassment and discrimination

High-profile Sydney bar and restaurant group issues public apology as award-winning bartender comes forward alleging workplace sexual assault

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SafeWork NSW is investigating high-profile Sydney bar and restaurant group Swillhouse after a series of allegations by staff of harassment, discrimination and unsafe workplaces.

A Sydney Morning Herald investigation this week alleged staff had experienced sexual assault and harassment and drug use within the group’s venues. A former Australian bartender of the year who worked for Swillhouse has publicly come forward as an alleged victim of sexual assault while working at the hospitality group.

On Friday, a SafeWork NSW spokesperson said: “The allegations of serious work health and safety issues highlighted in recent media reports relating to Swillhouse Group are concerning.

“SafeWork NSW is making inquiries into the allegations raised in these media reports. As these inquiries are ongoing, no further comment can be made at this time.”

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A Swillhouse spokesperson said the company would be “fully cooperating” with SafeWork NSW’s inquiries.

On Friday, award-winning bartender Jenna Hemsworth identified herself in a Herald report as an alleged victim of sexual assault while working at Swillhouse.

“My choice to remain anonymous until now has been to allow the article to place the onus on the culture that allowed this to happen, not on me as the victim,” she said, according to the report.

“I can sleep well at night knowing that I’ve done all I can to make this industry a little big safer than it was when I entered it. Can you [Swillhouse]?

“I hope you learn from this. And I hope you all grow.”

Guardian Australia contacted Hemsworth for comment. Swillhouse was also contacted for comment on Hemsworth’s allegations.

On Thursday Swillhouse issued a public apology on social media to “anyone who has felt hurt, unsafe, unprotected, triggered or unheard”.

“We particularly extend this apology to our female staff, guests, friends and family. We sincerely regret that any of our former staff have felt let down or unsafe,” the statement read.

The group acknowledged it “was not always perfect and that we got things wrong in the past”, and said it was committed to being “part of the solution, not the problem” to industry-wide concerns about workplace safety and inclusiveness.

“Several years ago, we began the process of building a better workplace where our people feel protected and where those poor behaviours are not tolerated.”

It also announced the postponement of its inaugural Swillfest food, wine and music festival, slated for September.

As Australia food media outlets approach their annual hospitality awards season, a number of publications have removed Swillhouse venues from their list of winners and finalists.

After naming Swillhouse’s Le Foote as restaurant of the year in 2023, Time Out Sydney has confirmed to Guardian Australia no Swillhouse venues will be considered in this year’s awards. In addition, editor Alice Ellis said Swillhouse venues had been removed from the publication’s “best of” guides and lists.

On Thursday, trade magazine Australian Bartender announced it had removed Swillhouse venues from its list of bar awards finalists. It follows restaurant magazine Gourmet Traveller’s announcement that it had removed Hubert – a French restaurant operated by Swillhouse – from the digital edition of its top restaurants guide.

One Sydney restaurant group has reversed its request to staff to refrain from posting on their personal social media accounts about the Swillhouse allegations.

On Wednesday the Love Tilly group, which operates five venues including Ragazzi and Love, Tilly Devine, sent a message to staff asking them not to provide comment to journalists regarding Swillhouse “or any related matters”, and to abstain from posting on social media.

On Friday, director Nate Hatwell told Guardian Australia they “regret” making this request. “It was never our intention for any of our team to think they cannot speak out about wrongdoing,” he said in a statement.

Anton Forte, the chief executive of Swillhouse, tendered his resignation from the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association after the Herald investigation. Forte was not alleged to be involved in any misconduct.

Wes Lambert, the chief executive of Arca, told Guardian Australia: “Forte has stepped down from the board and that is a permanent situation at the moment.”

Lambert said that “the industry has rallied around our response, which is zero tolerance”, after the Herald’s reports.

“We encourage anyone who has been affected since the news broke to reach out to relevant authorities,” he said.

• New South Wales
• Sydney
• Hospitality industry
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