Sexual Harassment at a Diner: How Would You React?
How would you react if you saw restaurant manager harassing new female employee?
May 20, 2010 — -- Young female employees in low-wage positions at restaurants or in retail may be exceptionally vulnerable to sexual harassment. Managers might target young women because they have little experience in the workplace and are eager to please the boss.
"What Would You Do?" decided to see what would happen if customers at a diner patrons actually saw a manager making sexual overtures to a recently-hired young woman working as a hostess.
Would patrons notice the manager's inappropriate touching and remarks? Would they intercede -- or simply dismiss the behavior as harmless flirtation?
Find out on "What Would You Do?" this Friday at 10 p.m. ET
It is a Friday morning at a suburban diner in New Jersey. The customers are greeted by Jennifer, a young, shy hostess..
In front of everyone in the middle of the dining room, it is clear that Scott, the restaurant manager, makes Jennifer, the hostess, uncomfortable. He caresses her hair, telling her to relax.
"You've got to loosen up... if your hair is back they [customers] can see you," Scott says.
Jennifer rejects her manager's crude advances. But what no one knows is that the reluctant hostess and her creepy boss Scott are actors -- and ABC's hidden cameras are rolling.
Scott walks up to a table of four men and introduces them to his new employee, Jennifer.
"That's our new hostess... first day on the job," Scott said. "Jenn, say 'Hi' to the guys. Isn't she something?"
One of the customers is not amused. He tells Scott he thinks Jennifer is feeling a little uncomfortable.
But her boss does not take the hint. In front of everyone, he pushes silverware to the floor to trick Jennifer into bending over so he can observe her from behind.
That little stunt is enough to make the four customers request a move to another area.
