Two women ended up quitting their jobs at Anchor Bar in Amherst when their claims of workplace sexual harassment were pushed aside.
Taylor Gregoric, 23, and Alyssa Corregedor, 20, said one of their managers was following them around the restaurant, inappropriately touching them and sending unwanted text messages outside of work.
The women took their complaints to the restaurant's owners.
They said the owners refused to do anything because they wouldn't have anyone to fill the position if they disciplined or fired the manager in question.
The owners allegedly told the two women they could quit if they didn't want to be there.
The attorney representing Gregoric and Corregedor said what the owners are doing is illegal.
"To retaliate against a victim that’s complaining about sexual harassment – that’s illegal,” said attorney Kevin Stocker. “Eventually, if it were to get into litigation and go to a jury, they would be punished. And they'd know after the fact that what they did was wrong."
The attorney also said more women have come forward making similar claims against the same manager.
Anchor Bar's corporate office commented on the issue and said the day-to-day issues are the franchise owner’s responsibility.
If the owners are not following the applicable laws, their relationship with the brand can be revoked, the corporation said.
A request for comment from the Anchor Bar’s owner on Maple Road has not been returned.