Prominent Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit against Cafe Habana Featured in New York Daily News Column

Waitresses sue Soho Hotspot Cafe Habana over alleged demands to show skin, look 'sexy'

On December 10, 2009, the New York Daily News reported on one of the year's most salacious sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cases. The matter involves Soho restaurant Cafe Habana -- which is frequented by celebrities such as Owen Wilson, Josh Hartnett, and Serena Williams.

The lawsuit -- filed by attorney Maimon Kirschenbaum -- alleges that waitresses at the Manhattan hotspot were pressured to act and dress in a sexually provocative manner. Owner Sean Meenan asked his waitresses to pose for a pinup calendar that he sold to benefit his eco charity. The four waitresses suing the St. Elizabeth Street eatery complained that they lost hours and overtime pay for refusing to pose for the calendar and/or promote it. Three of the plaintiffs allege that they got fired after they complained to management about the 'antics' of the restaurant's managers and owner -- this retaliation alone could be grounds for legal action.