An organization Christmas potluck for workers of a San Pedro Taco Bell become a boozy bash, with one employee having intercourse together with his spouse in entrance of spectators and one other vomiting right into a guacamole bowl, based on a lawsuit by one of many staff.
The employee, Alana Bechiom, filed the lawsuit final week in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom. She’s looking for unspecified damages within the swimsuit.
When Bechiom reported the incident to human assets, the lawsuit claims, three co-workers who took half within the get together have been fired, however Bechiom mentioned she was bodily threatened and her automotive window was smashed, and he or she claims Taco Bell and and the franchise proprietor did nothing to guard her in opposition to the threats.
“Whereas we don’t personal or handle this location, the franchisee who owns and operates this restaurant has shared that they take these claims very critically,” a Taco Bell spokesperson mentioned in a press release.
The franchise proprietor, Alvarado Restaurant Group, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The alcohol-fueled get together came about on Dec. 18, 2022 on the Taco Bell on 1031 S. Gaffey St. in San Pedro, the place Bechiom had labored as a cashier, based on courtroom information.
Employees have been “inspired to convey meals in a potluck-styled buffet,” and Bechiom had determined to take a guacamole bowl to the get together.
When she walked in, nevertheless, the lawsuit claims, she seen the home windows within the restaurant have been lined with wrapping paper, and the cameras within the Taco Bell foyer have been additionally lined.
She had been socializing within the parking zone for some time however, when Bechiom walked again in, based on courtroom information, she discovered certainly one of her male co-workers was “having intercourse together with his spouse in entrance of everybody on the get together.”
The co-worker’s spouse, the lawsuit states, was bent over and kissing two different co-workers, together with a supervisor, concurrently.
“[Bechiom] was shocked, disgusted and outraged by what she noticed and ran,” based on the swimsuit.
However earlier than leaving, the lawsuit states she went again into the Taco Bell to get her guacamole bowl. As a substitute she discovered two of her co-workers vomiting, with one retching into her bowl.
Bechiom complained to her supervisor about what she noticed and about somebody vomiting into her bowl, however the supervisor then threatened to battle her, based on the swimsuit.
After she reported the incident, three of the Taco Bell staff, together with the supervisor and the male co-worker who had intercourse together with his spouse, have been fired, the lawsuit claims.
However Bechiom claims she continued to obtain threats from co-workers who known as her a “snitch.” 4 days after the get together, she claims, somebody smashed the window of her automotive.
When she reported the threats, she claims, Taco Bell and the franchise proprietor supplied to switch her.
Bechiom resigned, and is suing Taco Bell and Alvarado Restaurant Group for alleged discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and failure to research.