Former Swillhouse employees take anti-harassment campaign global
A group of former employees from Sydney's Swillhouse hospitality group is expanding their anti-sexual harassment campaign internationally following a successful Australian fundraising tour.
The Sorry Not Sorry Collective, comprising Rachelle "Rocky" Hair, Jenna Hemsworth, Alex Hooker, Brittany Rowe, and Reuby Kahl, will visit Singapore, Hong Kong, Spain, and Britain in June for a four-to-six week tour featuring panel discussions and bar takeovers.
The collective formed after members alleged they experienced sexual harassment, assault, or discrimination while working for Swillhouse venues. Their testimonies, published last August, prompted a SafeWork NSW investigation and led to mandatory sexual violence prevention training for pub and club staff statewide.
"We're insane for doing it, but we're committed," Hair said. "Our experience needs to be part of the wider conversation."
The group's recent Australian tour drew hundreds of supporters at venues across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Additional stops in Hobart and Brisbane are scheduled for May and June, with potential regional tour dates being considered.
"It's been an overwhelming show of solidarity," Hair said. "There were moments at each event where young women or queer people would come forward and say, 'You know, I needed this. I needed to talk to someone.'"
The tour serves dual purposes: raising awareness about industry-wide sexual harassment issues and fundraising for legal action against their former employer.
The collective has secured representation from prominent employment lawyer Sheryn Omeri KC, who has previously advised Harvey Weinstein victims and won a landmark case defining Uber drivers as employees in Britain.
Through merchandise sales, drink proceeds, and online donations, the group has already raised more than half their legal fees during the first leg of their tour.
Swillhouse, which operates venues including Restaurant Hubert and Le Foote, initially acknowledged the allegations, stating they "sincerely regretted and apologised to any former employees who felt unsupported and at risk." However, these apologies have since been removed from social media.
A company spokesperson defended their response, saying, "Swillhouse takes all allegations seriously," and that claims of dismissiveness were "fundamentally incorrect." They added, "Swillhouse has responded in a timely and appropriate manner with the lawyers representing four of its former employees."
Since the allegations surfaced, Swillhouse venues have been removed from The Good Food Guide, which also introduced a new award for Cultural Change Champion.
Hair, who once doubted anyone would care about her story, now sees their advocacy making waves across the industry. "I'm still kind of in disbelief," she said.
Jonathan Jackson, 31st April 2025
