Forrest v. Brinker Int'l Payroll Co., d/b/a Chili's Grill and Bar (1st Cir. 2008)
Articles Discussing Case:
Affair at Chili's Grill Sizzles Restaurant Almost Gets Burned.
Fisher & Phillips, LLP • September 04, 2008
A recent decision by a federal appeals court should make employers, especially within the hospitality industry, take a look at their approach to office romances. Over the years, some courts have been hesitant to hold an employer liable for sexual discrimination when the harassment at issue is predicated solely upon an acrimonious breakup of an office romance. But this case illustrates a shift in this philosophy, recognizing that the focus in a harassment claim must be on the conduct at issue and that the motivating factor behind the harassment is irrelevant.
