Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed suit against the owner of the Protocol Restaurant, claiming sexual harassment.
The EEOC claims owner Paul Pelczynski, the restaurant’s owner, president and general manager, made unwelcome sexual advances and comments to female employees, including requests for sex; repeated invitations for drinks, dinner and sharing a hotel room; and comments about the bodies of female employees and customers. The agency further alleges that Pelczynski engaged in inappropriate contact with female employees, including grabbing their buttocks, kissing them, and routinely brushing up against them. Pelczynski also displayed pornography at work in view of employees and sent a group text to employees with pornography in the background. The EEOC also contends Protocol discharged female employees who objected to Pelczynski’s conduct or rejected his advances, and that other female employees quit because they could no longer endure the hostile work environment.
“Owning a business is not a license to sexually harass employees,” said Jeffrey Burstein, regional attorney for the EEOC’s New York District Office. “Business owners have a duty to protect employees from sexual harassment, and the EEOC is prepared to take strong action where an owner abuses his authority.”
Kevin Berry, director of the New York District Office, said, “No one should be forced to endure sexual advances or inappropriate physical contact to earn a living. The EEOC is committed to ensuring that all workers are free from sexual harassment on the job.”
The EEOC seeks back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages for the affected employees, as well as injunctive relief designed to remedy and prevent future sexual harassment in the workplace.
Pelczynski's attorney Rob Boreanaz calls the allegations "irresponsible and ridiculously vague. There are no dates, times or names of the employeed who alleged this." Boreanaz says it's the first time a claim of this nature was filed against the Protocol. "We will defend the allegations vigorously in court, once we figure out what they actually are and who is alleging them."