April 25, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Former Chipotle Employee Sues Company Alleging Sexual Harassment

Chipotle Mexican Grill news. (Thinkstock)
Chipotle Mexican Grill news. (Thinkstock)

A former Chipotle employee sued the company today, alleging she and other female workers at its Woodland Hills eatery near the Warner Center were sexually harassed by four managers who also used security cameras to spy on women customers they found attractive.

“All four managers created a sexually charged atmosphere directed at female employees and customers,” the lawsuit alleges.

Ariana Castaneda is seeking unspecified damages on allegations of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination.

The plaintiff, who worked for Chipotle from December 2013 until she was fired Feb. 10, was a lead kitchen worker at the chain’s Woodland Hills restaurant on Canoga Avenue, according to her court papers.

Her Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit names Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., along with Pablo Aguilar, identified as the restaurant’s general manager; supervisor Ruben Hernandez; and service managers Tommy Lee and Erick Morcillo.

A Chipotle representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Castaneda’s position required her to wear a particular uniform, accordin to the lawsuit, which alleges Aguilar purposely ordered a black uniform shirt for her that was too small.  She claims that after she complained and asked for a larger shirt size, Aguilar replied, “Is it because your (breasts) are too big?”

Aguilar ordered another shirt for Castaneda, but it also was too small and he again harassed her about her breast size, the suit alleges.

The plaintiff also alleges Hernandez would try to forcibly hug her and would touch her under her shirt after putting his hands on ice or another cold substance. Castaneda complained and tried to push Hernandez away, according to her court papers.

Morcillo and Lee made inappropriate remarks about the breasts of a female former employee and mocked her because a customer made a critical remark about her on Yelp, the lawsuit alleges.

Morcillo also called female employees derogatory names in Spanish and would reply “whatever” when Castaneda protested, the suit alleges.

The Woodland Hills location is near a gym, and female patrons dressed in workout attire often visited the Chipotle restaurant, the suit states.

“Often, when an attractive woman would walk in, Aguilar would rush to the back office to use the security cameras so he could gain an overhead view of the customer’s cleavage,” the suit alleges.

“He would also make comments such as ‘Oh, look at that view,”‘ according to the lawsuit.

Aguilar, Hernandez and Morcillo often made inappropriate sexual remarks about the bodies of female customers, the suit alleges.

“The managers also would regularly issue a ‘manager comp’ for meals if they thought the female customer was attractive,” according to the lawsuit.

Castaneda says she hurt her left arm, left shoulder and lower back on Feb. 8 while taking out the trash. She alleges Morcillo questioned her about the validity of her injuries, harassed her and called her “lazy” for not helping to lift heavy boxes.

Two days later, Castaneda logged onto her Chipotle employee account and found out she had been fired, according to her court papers. She alleges she lost her job because she complained about conditions in the workplace.

Related Posts

FBI Unravels Alleged Plot to Sell Stolen Andy Warhol Print in Beverly Hills

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Mid-City Pawn Shop Owner Charged in High-Stakes Art Scheme The owner of a pawn shop in Los Angeles’ Mid-City neighborhood...

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/5uE3LO9Lz9 pic.twitter.com/tz8YgJaB4j — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

Culver City Government Hosts Second Annual Mental Health Fair at City Hall

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Free Tools, Resources, and Relaxing Activities at Wellness Celebration Culver City will host its second annual Mental Health Resource Fair...

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Santa Monica Police to Target Impaired Drivers at DUI Checkpoint 

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Officers Will Be On Alert for Alcohol and Drug Impairment The Santa Monica Police Department announced plans to conduct a...