Workplace harassment is an issue that no organization can afford to ignore, yet recent allegations against a well-known Chicago strip club paint a troubling picture of its workplace culture.
TJ Thomas, a former manager at Rick’s Cabaret (formerly VIP’s), filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for reporting and opposing sexual harassment at the club. TJ is represented by Jeff and his law firm.
This isn’t the first time Rick’s Cabaret has been accused of workplace misconduct. In a separate class-action lawsuit, female performers alleged that TJ’s supervisors fostered a sexually hostile work environment, among other workplace violations. These allegations raise significant concerns about the company’s practices during TJ’s employment.
The Allegations
According to the complaint, TJ was hired as a Host and later promoted to day shift manager. The lawsuit contends TJ excelled at his job and was described as one of the best managers in the company.
TJ claimed that on June 16, 2022, he reported that the club’s general manager was allegedly sexually harassing two cocktail waitresses. His report was reportedly met with retaliation—he was fired on June 18, 2022, two days after escalating the issue.
Rick’s Cabaret claimed TJ was terminated for misconduct. However, the lawsuit contends TJ did nothing wrong and his managers did not have a real reason to fire him.
Legal Grounds for the Case
The lawsuit contends that TJ’s termination violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Illinois Human Rights Act. These laws are designed to protect employees from retaliation when they come forward to report harassment or discriminatory behavior in the workplace.
The lawsuit argues that TJ’s dismissal was a violation of an employee’s right to speak out against harassment without fear of retribution. By encouraging a safe environment for reporting, these laws help create a respectful work culture.
What’s at Stake
TJ’s case is a reminder of the importance of safe workplaces where employees can speak up without fear. Discrimination, harassment and retaliation are widespread issues. When companies ignore or punish those who report problems, they create a culture of fear and encourage misconduct. Everyone deserves a workplace where they feel safe, respected, and able to do what’s right.
Do you believe you have faced retaliation for unlawful reasons? Contact Jeff.
The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and captioned as Thomas v. Pooh Bah Enterprises, Inc., Case No. 25 C 0077.
NOTICE: The information contained in this post comes from allegations made in a legal complaint which was filed in the public record with the court. Please note that this is a contested matter. As a result, it is expected that the allegations will be opposed or denied by other parties and the court has not ruled on the merits as of the date of this statement.
