Exclusive San Francisco club faces harassment and wage lawsuits from staff

Rene Panti, a dishwasher at The Battery since 2021, filed a lawsuit asserting that coworkers called him “hunchback” and made vulgar remarks about his genitals, and that they physically harassed him by touching his back and pinching his nipples despite his protests. He says the club placed him on disability leave for a month, denied him breaks, gave him excessive workloads, and a manager told him he would never be promoted because he did not meet the company’s physical standards.

Attorney Steven Chizen says the complaint will be supported by coworkers, documents and the club’s own records. A separate suit by front-desk employee Donald James Goglio alleges the club failed to pay minimum wage, overtime, provide proper breaks and reimburse business expenses. The Battery issued a statement rejecting the claims and asserting its wage-and-hour practices follow California law. The club, founded by Michael and Xochi Birch, is known for its $2,400 annual membership and celebrity clientele.