Is Starbucks blaming the victim?

Kenna · 05-06-2011, 11:31 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Teen/s...ry?id=10827639

By VIC WALTER and MEGAN CHUCHMACH
June 4, 2010

Just weeks before a harassment lawsuit was set to go to trial, coffee giant Starbucks has settled out of court for an undisclosed amount with a young woman who said the company failed to protect her from almost daily demands for sex by a store manager.

Kati Moore, now 20, says the demands began when she was 16 years old working as a barista in California. She claimed 24-year-old supervisor Tim Horton would summon her for sex in hundreds of text messages, including one that said, "I'd like to f--- tomorrow."

Neither Moore nor Starbucks would discuss the terms of the deal or whether the company would create a policy for protecting teenage employees from sexual harassment, as Moore had wanted.

Moore's case was featured in a "20/20" investigation into the sexual harassment of teens in the workplace that aired in January. The "20/20" report also included other alleged cases of sexual harassment of teen workers at such popular chains as McDonald's and Taco Bell. One in three high school students reported unwanted sexual advances in the workplace, according to a study in Maine.
Photo: Woman Claims Starbucks Supervisor Pressured Her Into Sex
ABC News
Moore tells ABC News she felt pressured to have sex with her supervisor at Starbucks. Watch 20/20 for the full story.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH PART 1 OF THE '20/20' REPORT

CLICK HERE TO WATCH PART 2 OF THE '20/20' REPORT

Sexual harassment expert Susan Strauss, who was interviewed as part of the original "20/20" investigation, said she is happy for Moore "that she doesn't have to go through re-victimization on the witness stand in a courtroom."

Moore previously claimed other Starbucks supervisors and managers knew what was happening but did nothing to stop the illicit relationship.

Moore's mother alerted prosecutors after learning of the relationship. Horton claimed he did not know Moore was 16. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of illegal sex with a minor and served four months in prison.

At the time of the "20/20" report, Starbucks released a statement that said, "These two employees concealed their relationship from Starbucks, which violated company policy. We are confident that the case will ultimately be resolved in finding that Starbucks is not at fault."

Starbucks says it does have a strict policy against sexual harassment and managers dating baristas, but there is nothing specific in its policies regarding relationships with teens under the age of 18.

What happened to Moore is not uncommon, experts told ABC News. The problem is especially prevalent in fast food restaurants where so many teenagers have their first jobs, said Dr. Strauss.

"They're vulnerable, they're young, they're new to the workforce," said Strauss.

Strappie · 05-07-2011, 12:07 AM

My Niece at the age of 16 was sexually harrassed by her boss at a major Shopping Center (I will not name the Center) Needless to say She told her mom and dad about it. They of course listened but let her handle it till it became out of hand. She liked working there but was so terrified of her boss. One night leaving work she had a note on her car... Saying I'm watching you... She immediately called Home and her dad drove out there (it's a town of about 20,000 so most people for the most part know each other) and followed her home. On every night shift she would have family either pick her up or follow her. The next day her mom made her go into work and tell the manager, which happened to be a guy, but she also told her to call the HR person and bring her with her. My sister wanted her to stand up for herself and take charge and of course my sister would go in if there was a second meeting needed. Needless to say.. This manager had touched her on several occasions saying highly inappropriate things to her while working. They eventually fired him, not until after they caught him on camera putting a note on her car. She had saved all the "notes" that were left on her car and copied them and gave the copies to the HR department and the police because now they were involved.

It's a Damn sad thing. She was 16 and the guy was in his 40's. Sick bastards to threaten and get away with this sort of stuff.

05-06-2011, 11:31 PM	#1
Kenna Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Fiery, Sassy, Tough As Nails, Femme Tomboy Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: I am your favorite hello and hardest goodbye. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC & CO Posts: 4,806 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,624 Thanked 12,192 Times in 3,779 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	found it!! http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Teen/s...ry?id=10827639 By VIC WALTER and MEGAN CHUCHMACH June 4, 2010 Just weeks before a harassment lawsuit was set to go to trial, coffee giant Starbucks has settled out of court for an undisclosed amount with a young woman who said the company failed to protect her from almost daily demands for sex by a store manager. Kati Moore, now 20, says the demands began when she was 16 years old working as a barista in California. She claimed 24-year-old supervisor Tim Horton would summon her for sex in hundreds of text messages, including one that said, "I'd like to f--- tomorrow." Neither Moore nor Starbucks would discuss the terms of the deal or whether the company would create a policy for protecting teenage employees from sexual harassment, as Moore had wanted. Moore's case was featured in a "20/20" investigation into the sexual harassment of teens in the workplace that aired in January. The "20/20" report also included other alleged cases of sexual harassment of teen workers at such popular chains as McDonald's and Taco Bell. One in three high school students reported unwanted sexual advances in the workplace, according to a study in Maine. Photo: Woman Claims Starbucks Supervisor Pressured Her Into Sex ABC News Moore tells ABC News she felt pressured to have sex with her supervisor at Starbucks. Watch 20/20 for the full story. CLICK HERE TO WATCH PART 1 OF THE '20/20' REPORT CLICK HERE TO WATCH PART 2 OF THE '20/20' REPORT Sexual harassment expert Susan Strauss, who was interviewed as part of the original "20/20" investigation, said she is happy for Moore "that she doesn't have to go through re-victimization on the witness stand in a courtroom." Moore previously claimed other Starbucks supervisors and managers knew what was happening but did nothing to stop the illicit relationship. Moore's mother alerted prosecutors after learning of the relationship. Horton claimed he did not know Moore was 16. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge of illegal sex with a minor and served four months in prison. At the time of the "20/20" report, Starbucks released a statement that said, "These two employees concealed their relationship from Starbucks, which violated company policy. We are confident that the case will ultimately be resolved in finding that Starbucks is not at fault." Starbucks says it does have a strict policy against sexual harassment and managers dating baristas, but there is nothing specific in its policies regarding relationships with teens under the age of 18. What happened to Moore is not uncommon, experts told ABC News. The problem is especially prevalent in fast food restaurants where so many teenagers have their first jobs, said Dr. Strauss. "They're vulnerable, they're young, they're new to the workforce," said Strauss. __________________ **************************** She has been through hell, so believe me when I say, fear her when she looks into a fire and smiles. ~E.Corona~

05-07-2011, 12:07 AM	#2
Strappie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: I know who I am... Doesn't matter Relationship Status: It's a new day.... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 3,283 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,813 Thanked 4,945 Times in 1,350 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	My Niece at the age of 16 was sexually harrassed by her boss at a major Shopping Center (I will not name the Center) Needless to say She told her mom and dad about it. They of course listened but let her handle it till it became out of hand. She liked working there but was so terrified of her boss. One night leaving work she had a note on her car... Saying I'm watching you... She immediately called Home and her dad drove out there (it's a town of about 20,000 so most people for the most part know each other) and followed her home. On every night shift she would have family either pick her up or follow her. The next day her mom made her go into work and tell the manager, which happened to be a guy, but she also told her to call the HR person and bring her with her. My sister wanted her to stand up for herself and take charge and of course my sister would go in if there was a second meeting needed. Needless to say.. This manager had touched her on several occasions saying highly inappropriate things to her while working. They eventually fired him, not until after they caught him on camera putting a note on her car. She had saved all the "notes" that were left on her car and copied them and gave the copies to the HR department and the police because now they were involved. It's a Damn sad thing. She was 16 and the guy was in his 40's. Sick bastards to threaten and get away with this sort of stuff.