Sexual Harassment endured at an “upscale” restaurant on Preston St.
As the title says… I’m 27 (m) and i worked for this one restaurant where i was sexually harassed everyday by one of their line cooks.
I am autistic and it takes me a while to understand certain cues, but one of their line cooks would always call me “good boy” and talk about how handsome my face was; like literally everyday.
It took me 2-3 weeks to realize that this person was trying to engage in something with that i wouldn’t consent for, and someone who struggles with depression and anxiety; this restaurant might be the end of me. I have been SA’d as a child, and in all of my years working in the food industry across america …this the worst thing that i had ever experienced.
Whenever i had complained, i was brushed off with taking this behavior as complimentary; and i was reminded that i was a “male” as if this behavior was acceptable based on gender. Eventually, i got very defensive and started showing attitude towards the chef that harassed me followed by more complaints from me about him; and all that happened was that my hours were cut and i was eventually let go without an official firing. When i had applied for EI, the owner of this establishment protested against it and claimed that i had been fired, which eventually got me in a huge financial burden that was huge enough to make me reconsider going to the city to ask for help through ontario works and mental health survives.
I’m sorry if my English is not perfect, or if my words are all over the place ..but I’m extremely traumatized by this restaurant and their owner and i really just want this community to listen to my story, and i hope that other men can come out and talk about this more frequently.
I really hope this post sees the light, and if i don’t reply by next week; i am probably extremely sad and taking time to process this whole thing with friends (i’m safe)
Thank you.