Hooters is a successful chain of restaurants and bars thatfeatures waitresses in tight shirts and very short shorts. Hootersalso markets T-shirts that bear its name as well as its slogan,“More Than a Mouthful.”

Former Hooters waitresses filed a class action lawsuit, allegingthat the atmosphere Hooters created in its restaurants allowed themto be sexually harassed. One waitress noted on a talk show, “Wethought it was a family restaurant. [The uniforms] made us lookstupid.” The former waitresses have noted that Hooters hired nomale wait staff, and that all of the waitresses at its restaurantsare very young and mostly blonde. Customers, cooks, and managers,according to the women, made lewd comments and, on occasion,touched them. The women contend that Hooters’ atmosphere, theirmandatory uniforms, and all-male management caused them to besexually harassed. The EEOC and Hooters settled the litigation.Hooters’ dress policy and its slogans and practices remain thesame. Hooters continues to enjoy great success, and it recentlycreated Hooters Airlines, a company that flies to resortdestinations and features Hooters girls as flight attendants.

Questions:

1. Should the women have known of the problems when they agreedto work at Hooters? What bearing should such knowledge have ontheir right to allege harassment?

2. What ethical obligations does an employer such as Hooters oweits employees in the creation of its atmosphere?

3.What role should managers play in minimizing customerharassment?

4. Would you work for and/or patronize Hooters?

5. Every Wednesday, the Chicago-are Hooters resaurants donatehalf of what they earn selling spicy chicken wings to the HolyFamily Lutheran Church. Between 1993 and 1995, the Hootersrestaurant gave $15,000 to the church. On one Wednesday, Hootersbrought in calendar girls and a Playboy Playmate for autographs inorder to increase business. When asked about the combination ofHooters and religion, Pastor Charles Infelt responded, \"We\'re notasking people to go there. I live in a larger Lutheran world. Wetry not to get into that side of life. We just accept their money.We don\'t evaluate. Our role is to be gracious and thankful. I don\'twan to get into negative thoughts.\" Evaluate this relationship.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Answer Knowledge of Problems and Right to Allege Harassment While the women may have been aware of Hooters reputation and dress code before agreeing t... View the full answer