The EEOC has filed a lawsuit against six related entities operating Taco Bell restaurants for allegedly allowing a senior area manager to sexually harass female employees, including teenagers, and retaliating against a worker who reported the misconduct.
The lawsuit claims that the manager engaged in persistent sexual harassment of multiple female employees, including some who were underage, on a near-daily basis.
The allegations include:
🌮 Asking underage employees if they were sexually active.
🌮 Telling an employee he wanted "sugar" from her when she turned 18.
🌮 Unwanted and inappropriate touching of female employees under age 18.
🌮 Asking an assistant manager for videos or images of her having sex with her boyfriend.
When a local assistant manager reported the harassment, she was fired the same day—while the manager continued to harass employees for months before he was finally terminated.
"Employers must take reports of sexual harassment seriously and ensure that appropriate and timely steps are taken to stop the harassment," said Kenneth Bird, EEOC regional attorney. "To fire an employee who reports harassment, while allowing the harasser to continue hurting employees, runs afoul of federal civil rights laws." Omar Weaver, an assistant regional attorney for the EEOC, added, "Teenage fast-food workers are particularly vulnerable to workplace harassment, and the EEOC will hold employers accountable for unlawful retaliatory conduct."
I sum it up like this: If you allow a senior manager to sexually harass female employees—including minors—then fire a manager who speaks up instead of firing the offender, you might be the "Worst Employer of 2025" and have earned your nomination to this year's list.