Founder of Berkeley coffee roaster sued over alleged sexual harassment of employee
Hydrangea Coffee Roasters founder Bill Li faces a lawsuit filed by employee Ashlynne Wike, who alleges repeated unwanted touching and invasive questioning.
A sexual-harassment lawsuit has been lodged against Bill Li, the founder of Hydrangea Coffee Roasters, by employee Ashlynne Wike. Wike, who relocated from North Carolina to Berkeley for a $70,000-a-year role, alleges that Li touched her thighs and stomach, attempted to place his hands inside her pants, and made repeated personal inquiries about her sexual history and orientation. The complaint states Li housed her in his apartment and that the company did not provide state-mandated harassment training or take steps to stop the behavior.
Hydrangea’s attorney acknowledged the lawsuit and noted that customers and partners may have questions. The allegations have sparked heated discussion on Reddit coffee forums, with some users vowing to stop buying the brand and others urging a wait-and-see approach. The case highlights concerns about workplace power dynamics in niche specialty-coffee businesses.
Why it matters
The lawsuit raises concerns about workplace safety and accountability in a high-profile specialty-coffee company.
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