Why safe hospitality venues is a gendered issue  - what is the Safe Venues Project?

Every worker deserves to be safe and respected at work, yet for many hospitality workers this isn't the case. Sexual harassment, gender-based violence and hostile workplace cultures are all too common; upheld by insecure jobs, wage theft and unstable working conditions. Whether working in front of house or in a kitchen, women and gender diverse people are at increased risk of gendered harm. 

Hospitality is also defined by working unsociable hours, having high levels of contact with the public, working licensed venues, working alone and understaffing. These risk factors are compounded by other forms of discrimination and marginalisation based on personal attributes including sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, being culturally or racially marginalised, being a migrant worker, being a young worker, on a temporary visa or living with a disability.  

A worker driven change in hospitality 

Victorian Trades Hall Council’s Safe Venues project is about strengthening the knowledge and enforcement of workplace rights for women and gender diverse people working in hospitality. As unionists we know that when workers understand their rights, and are connected and empowered to enforce them, they have more power to create meaningful change. 

Harassment and exploitation are occupational health and safety issues 

Sexual harassment, gender-based violence, gender discrimination and wage theft are unlawful. 

In Victoria, union members successfully campaigned for gender-based violence to be treated as an occupational health and safety issue. This means that your employer must take steps to eliminate or minimise the risk of gender-based violence, as well as responding appropriately to incidents when they occur. Already hospitality employers have been prosecuted, fined and convicted under health and safety laws for failing to address sexual harassment in hospitality. 

New laws fought for by union members also created a positive duty on employers to actively prevent discrimination, harassment and hostile work environments along with greater rights for casuals to achieve secure employment. We also banned pay secrecy – meaning it’s your right to talk about your pay and conditions with your workmates. 

“The customer is always right” “It’s just a joke” “it’s just part of the job” 

Not anymore. 

Issues in hospitality have increasingly been exposed publicly from brave workers speaking out. 

Here in Melbourne, chef Pietro Barbagallo was filmed by customers at his restaurant Kaprica, as he responded with aggression and violence to a customer complaint. This was just the tip of the iceberg, with The Age revealing an investigation into Barbagallo dating back decades, with workers coming forward about erratic violent behaviour and sexual misconduct. 

Merivale Hospitality Group has also come under fire recently and is being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman for exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers and wage theft. Additional reports revealed a culture of gender-based harm at Merivale venues, notably at their private members club, Level 6, which was described by a Merivale manager as “one step from being a brothel”, and many allegations of sexual harassment by wealthy and powerful patrons.  

These findings demonstrate the systemic nature of issues in hospitality. These structural issues require a collective response; more workers are feeling empowered to share their stories and work together to fight for overdue change. When we work collectively, we can create a cultural shift within the hospitality industry to make workplaces fairer, safer and more equal for women and gender-diverse people.  

What the Safe Venues project will do to create change in the industry

We are developing resources, tools, training and collective opportunities for women and gender-diverse people in hospitality to feel empowered and connected. We will: 

• Listen to workers about what needs to change 

• Develop tools and resources to help workers understand and enforce their rights 

• Train workers to build skills, knowledge and collective strength 

• Work with unions and industry to drive meaningful change 

What you can do right now

• Share your experience by completing our survey (this can be completed anonymously). By participating you’re contributing to improving our understanding of how we can create workplaces where all hospitality workers can be safe and respected

• Join your union: unionised workplaces are safer workplaces and union members can seek support and representation to combat gendered harm and exploitation 

• Contact We Are Union Women: Get in contact with us at [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation.