A restaurant in Oakland, California, has implemented a color-coded system to combat harassment. The system, which was created by Chef Erin Wade, uses three colors to indicate the level of harassment: yellow for a creepy vibe, orange for comments with sexual undertones, and red for explicit sexual comments or touching.

The system has been in place for over ten years and has been successful in reducing harassment at the restaurant. Wade believes that the system is effective because it changes the power dynamics and allows staff to report incidents without fear of retaliation.

How the System Works

When a staff member experiences harassment, they report the color of the incident to management. If the incident is reported as yellow, the staff member can choose to switch tables. If the incident is reported as orange, the manager or another server takes over the table. If the incident is reported as red, the manager ejects the customer from the restaurant.

The system has been adopted by other restaurants nationwide, including some in Texas. Wade has also been investing in other restaurants and coaching other restaurant founders across the US and in other countries.

The system is not just limited to combating harassment, but also to creating a culture of transparency and communication. Wade has implemented an open-book policy for the company, sharing financial information with employees and inviting staff to management meetings.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.