In a case that highlights the often unpredictable nature of workplace gatherings, Alana Bechiom, former staff sues Taco Bell over Christmas party orgy. The event, which took place at a California Taco Bell on December 18, 2022, devolved into a scenario that left Alana Bechiom feeling 'shocked and disgusted,' according to her legal claim. The lawsuit, lodged in the Los Angeles County superior court on November 15, describes the party initially as a benign, potluck-style gathering. Bechiom, intending to join in the festive spirit, brought a bowl of guacamole to share with her colleagues. However, upon her arrival, she noticed something amiss. The store's windows were covered in wrapping paper, effectively blocking any view from outside, and the surveillance cameras within the lobby were also concealed.
According to the lawsuit, the situation escalated when Bechiom's supervisor began providing alcohol to the employees. Some of the staff, as stated in the legal document, were 'overserved', leading to a loosening of inhibitions. The festive atmosphere soon took a turn for the worse.
Bechiom alleges that after momentarily stepping outside the store to mingle, she returned to a shocking sight stating that she saw his co-worker ‘having sexwith his wife in front of everyone at the party.’ Adding to the distressing scene, it's claimed that the co-worker's wife was simultaneously kissing two other women, including Bechiom's manager and another colleague. The incident deeply affected Bechiom, who expressed feeling 'disgusted and outraged'. She left the party in distress, only to return briefly to retrieve her guacamole bowl. To her further dismay, she found another co-worker, involved in the earlier sexual act, vomiting into her bowl.
Following the incident, Bechiom took the issue to the company's HR department. This led to the termination of her manager and the employees involved in the act. However, the situation did not end there. Bechiom alleges that she started receiving threats from individuals associated with her former colleagues. She claims that her car window was broken and that she felt a continual sense of intimidation.
In response to these events, Taco Bell’s public relations office issued a statement to the Guardian. They noted, “While we don’t own or manage this location, the franchisee who owns and operates this restaurant has shared that they take these claims very seriously.”
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Bechiom contends that the company's response was insufficient. Instead of addressing the intimidation she faced, Taco Bell allegedly offered to relocate her to a different store. Feeling that her work environment had become hostile and untenable, Bechiom chose to resign. Her lawsuit, consequently, demands compensation for the alleged hostile work environment she endured.
This unusual and disturbing case casts a spotlight on workplace culture, particularly during informal gatherings like Christmas parties. The events detailed in Bechiom's lawsuit raise critical questions about employer responsibilities, employee conduct, and the handling of workplace grievances.
As the legal proceedings continue, this case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for workplace events to deviate from festive to fraught, and the essential need for companies to maintain a safe, respectful environment for all employees.