Work After #MeToo: A Restaurant Company Tries To Change Its Culture

Since the #MeToo movement began, myriad business leaders — from media and tech to finance — have resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment, leaving bad morale and problem workplace cultures in their wake.

That happened to the Besh Restaurant Group a year ago, after the New Orleans Times-Picayune published a shattering expose about its founding owner, John Besh. It detailed allegations made by 25 female employees describing a harrowing workplace in which Besh belittled and fondled workers, or tried to coerce them to have sex.

Dominique Ranieri, a former server who accused Besh of inappropriate behavior, says sexual harassment ran rampant in the company’s culture. She says she was subjected to “groping, sexual advances — verbally, physically — constant commentary.”