A "lifeboat" is being floated to poorly treated hospitality workers as some of the country's most high-profile bartenders take a stand against bad workplace conditions, sexual harassment and abuse.
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Bartenders Jenna Hemsworth and Rachelle 'Rocky' Hair have founded a collective, Sorry Not Sorry, that aims to connect hospitality workers with mental health, legal and government resources.
They have launched a 'takeover tour' to raise money for their own legal fund following allegations of a toxic workplace against their previous employer, Swillhouse.
Ms Hemsworth said that many hospitality employees don't know their rights as workers and don't know who to ask for help.
"We're really looking forward to being a beacon, a safe place for people to reach out to. Maybe we don't have the answers but there's definitely a collection of resources that we can put you on to," she told ACM.
The collective is hitting the road on March 23 to tour through Victoria, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and NSW to raise money for legal action and to spread awareness.
"We're here to gather information on how we can help the industry become a better place and a safer place," Ms Hemsworth said.
"Our support doesn't finish when we leave the bar, this is just the beginning."
Hemsworth receives 'hundreds' of messages
When Ms Hemsworth won Bartender of the Year in 2018, while working for Swillhouse's Restaurant Hubert in Sydney, the crowd was on its feet chanting her name.
She was the first woman in the competition's history to take out the coveted prize and Ms Hemsworth has continued to pave the way for the next generation of female bartenders.
Ms Hemsworth, Ms Hair and three other former Swillhouse Group employees went public in August 2024 with various allegations of sexual assault, intimidation and discrimination at the hospitality giant's venues.
In a video posted to, and then deleted from, the group's social media accounts, former CEO Anton Forte said "we wanted to create a culture of generosity, openness and respect but along the way we messed up".
Mr Forte has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Allegations emerging from the Sydney Morning Herald indicated multiple people were pushed out of the business after they reported their experiences to management. The Swillhouse Group has denied these claims.
Ms Hemsworth said she received "hundreds" of messages in the days after the stories were published.
Many of them were from hospitality professionals sharing their own experiences.
But these weren't the only messages Ms Hemsworth was receiving.
She was also contacted by a number of people reaching out with help and resources including legal professionals, mental health experts, NSW's Women's Safety Commissioner and Nightlife Commissioner.
These people offered "functional ways to take the load off" her shoulders, she said.
The Sorry Not Sorry collective was born after Ms Hemsworth and Ms Hair realised these resources could help workers who were in harm's way.
"It takes a village, and these people are giving their expertise and their skill set to help," she said.
Sorry Not Sorry hits the road
Funds raised over the bar from the takeover tour are intended for a legal fund for Ms Hemsworth and Ms Hair and another three colleagues' potential claim against their former employers. They have secured a law firm for their potential claim against Swillhouse, ACM understands.
The Sorry Not Sorry takeover tour kicks off at the Lincoln in Carlton, Melbourne on March 23 with special guests from the celebrated cocktail bar Caretaker's Cottage.
The collective then goes to Savile Row Bar in Brisbane on March 30, Hanky Panky Lounge in Darwin on April 1, Edward and Ida's in Perth on April 6 and Maybe Mae in Adelaide on April 8 before a final takeover at Disco Pantera in Sydney on April 13.
The collective is also running a GoFundMe to raise money for legal expenses with $17,000 of a $250,000 goal pledged in less than a month.
The Sorry Not Sorry founders are hoping the takeover tour will also spark important conversations in the hospitality industry.
"Hopefully, by doing this tour, it kickstarts a movement of people looking out for each other," Ms Hemsworth said.
Swillhouse Group was contacted but declined to comment.
Support is available for those who may be distressed:
- Phone Lifeline 13 11 14
- Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491
- 13 Yarn 13 92 76
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- beyondblue 1300 224 636
- 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
