Sexual harassment

Gastronomy employees: “No service without respect”

Many service staff complain about the lack of respectful treatment (symbolic image).(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

Almost 80 percent of restaurant employees have been confronted with sexual harassment. The Vienna Chamber of Labor and the vida trade union are now calling for protective measures.

The legal advice service of the Vienna Chamber of Labor recorded a sharp increase in complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace last year, especially in the catering industry.

Survey among restaurant employees
This prompted the AK to conduct an online survey of employees in this sector, 881 of whom took part. Although this is not representative, the figure is almost identical to a large-scale US study from 2014.

AK Division Manager Ludwig Dvorak: "The results show that 79% of all women in this sector have already experienced or observed sexual harassment." Be it by guests, colleagues or the boss. But it's not just women who are affected, men are too. Overall, 72 percent of all employees stated that they had experienced it - the vast majority even more often.

Fortunately, it's not like that in our restaurant. However, I can imagine it happening in night catering. Protection concepts are certainly a good idea.

Vicky, Inhaberin Cafe & Restaurant Coretto

Bild: Klemens Groh

In workplaces where sexual assaults take place, we need to crack down on them. But this should apply to all sectors.

Manuel Schmidt, Inhaber Restaurant Dresdnerhof

Bild: Martin Jöchl

Guests are the main perpetrators
The main perpetrators are guests, followed by colleagues and superiors. "Things are often dismissed as fun or you're told 'that's just the hospitality industry'," explains one employee. Alarmingly, in 60 percent of cases of sexual harassment that were reported to the employer, there was no response.

Protection concept in development
"We need a protection concept under the motto 'No respect, no service'," says Olivia Janisch from the vida trade union. The landlords are of the same opinion, but this should apply to all sectors. The AK and the trade union are currently in talks with the Chamber of Commerce regarding suitable measures, such as training and support.