The Battery, an exclusive invite-only club in San Francisco, is facing two lawsuits alleging severe harassment, discrimination, and labor violations. The complaints, filed by two former employees, detail a pattern of demeaning slurs, physical harassment, and wage and hour discrepancies.
Rene Panti, who worked as a dishwasher at the club since 2021, claims in his lawsuit that coworkers frequently subjected him to discriminatory slurs related to his congenital scoliosis, a spinal condition. He alleges he was called "taunted as 'hunchback' and 'useless,'" and that a coworker made a comment about his genitals. Panti also reported unwanted physical contact, including pinching and hands being placed on his back despite his requests for it to stop.
According to the lawsuit, management's response to these allegations was insufficient, with staff merely being told to "stay professional." Panti further alleges that he was placed on a month-long leave due to his disability, resulting in lost wages. When he sought a promotion in 2022, a chef allegedly retaliated by assigning him excessive workloads and permitting the ongoing harassment. Panti also claims he was told by a manager that he would "never be promoted to work at the bar because your physical appearance does not conform to the standards of the company."
Steven Chizen, Panti's attorney, expressed confidence in corroborating the allegations with coworker testimony, documents, and the club's own records. "We look forward to proving this case to a San Francisco jury," Chizen stated.
The second lawsuit was filed by Donald James Goglio, who alleges that The Battery failed to pay minimum wages and overtime. His suit also claims that employees were not provided proper breaks and that business expenses were not reimbursed. Goglio's lawsuit asserts that these practices were employed to "unfairly cheat the competition and unlawfully profit."
The Battery, founded by tech entrepreneurs Michael and Xochi Birch in 2013, is known for its luxurious amenities and an annual membership fee of $2,400. The club, housed in a former marble factory and candy warehouse, features multiple dining areas, a wine cellar, personal trainers, a spa, and a hotel. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant, as well as former politician Eric Swalwell, have reportedly been patrons.
In response to the allegations, The Battery issued a statement to The San Francisco Chronicle denying the claims and asserting that Panti's lawsuit omitted critical facts. The club stated, "The Battery does not agree with the allegations or with the attempt to portray them as companywide violations. The Battery maintains wage-and-hour policies and timekeeping practices intended to comply with California law and will defend those practices in court."