Tilted Kilt Waitresses Sue Over Sexual Harassment
Updated 02/09/12 - 5:50 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Nineteen waitresses who worked at the Tilted Kilt on Wabash Avenue -- a Celtic-themed bar where waitresses wear tartan miniskirts and skimpy white shirts over tartan-patterned bras -- have filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the sports bar.
Mark Roth, an attorney for the 19 women, said a bar manager made disgusting comments to his clients.
"There were requests for sex. There were degrading comments that were made. Something that no woman should have to put up with anywhere, let alone by their manager in the workforce," Roth said.
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Among the allegations in the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court:
• The manager allegedly took a straw full of water and put it down at least one waitress' dress, releasing the water and remarking, "I'm trying to get your panties wet," and, "That's how daddy likes it – with your panties wet."
• The manager allegedly said to at least one waitress, "Meow, meow. You're a dirty kitty," "You don't know what I'd like to do to you," and "I want to f**k you so bad," among other prurient remarks.
• The manager loudly discussed pornography with customers and at least one waitress, the lawsuit claims.
• The manager and owner allegedly called one or more of the plaintiffs by sexually derogatory nicknames, including one name that purportedly translates from Greek to English to suggest that someone has inspired a man to get an erection, the lawsuit alleges.
• The manager allegedly grabbed the waitress' buttocks and breasts, tried to kiss one of them on the mouth, licked at least one of their ears, and put ice down their skirts, according to the lawsuit.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LAWSUIT
Roth said the 19 women don't have any complaints about the customers, only the managers at the downtown bar.
"They had nowhere to turn because the manager was actually a predator," Roth said.
The servers at the Tilted Kilt wear skimpy outfits – skimpy white shirts over tartan-style bras and tartan miniskirts -- and Roth said the waitresses are all beautiful women, but they have a right to a safe refuge in the workplace.
The Tilted Kilt is a successful national franchise based in Tempe, Ariz. In a statement, a spokesperson said Tilted Kilt does not tolerate sexual harassment. But the lawsuit is specifically filed against TK Chicago Loop, the downtown franchisee, which did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the allegations.
