Two employees have separately sued the exclusive San Francisco club known as The Battery, alleging wage and labor violations, with one worker also accusing the company of allowing years of harassment and discrimination tied to his disability.
Rene Panti, 57, a dishwasher who has worked at The Battery since 2021, alleges coworkers repeatedly mocked his scoliosis and age, including calling him “hunchback” and “useless” in Spanish, as the Chronicle reports. He says the harassment continued after he reported it to management and HR, with supervisors doing little beyond telling employees to “stay professional.”
Panti also alleges the harassment became physical in 2025, when a coworker touched his back despite being told not to, then pinched his nipples a week later. He says the club investigated his complaints but reportedly concluded there was no sexual harassment, despite finding that a coworker had hugged him without consent.
According to the Chronicle, Panti’s lawsuit also alleges he was denied a promotion because of his appearance. In 2023, he says the Battery’s bar manager told him, “You will never be promoted to work at the bar because your physical appearance does not conform to the standards of the company.”
Panti further alleges the club failed to accommodate his physical limitations after he injured himself lifting a 70-pound garbage bag in April 2025. He also alleges he was placed on unpaid leave in October 2025 because of his disability, causing lost income and emotional distress. He says he is the sole financial support for himself and his disabled wife.
Separately, Donald James Goglio filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging 10 wage-and-hour violations affecting nonexempt hourly employees. The Chronicle reports that the suit claims workers were denied proper meal and rest breaks, weren’t always paid minimum wage or overtime, and weren’t reimbursed for business expenses. Goglio also alleges employees had their bags searched after clocking out, meaning they weren’t paid for time spent waiting for the searches.
Both lawsuits accuse The Battery of failing to properly track wages and provide legally required breaks. A previous wage-and-hour lawsuit filed against the club in 2021 was settled in 2024.
The Battery disputes the allegations, saying that Panti is still employed at the club, and the complaint leaves out important facts about its investigation and response to his concerns. The club also said it maintains policies against harassment, discrimination, and retaliation and intends to defend itself in court.
“The Battery does not agree with the allegations or with the attempt to portray them as companywide violations,” the club said regarding Goglio’s lawsuit, per the Chronicle. “The Battery maintains wage-and-hour policies and timekeeping practices intended to comply with California law and will defend those practices in court.”
Panti is seeking damages for emotional distress, physical injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages, as well as reinstatement with reasonable accommodations and changes to the club’s workplace policies. His attorney, Steven Chizen of Chizen Law, said the allegations would be supported by coworkers, documents, and the Battery’s own records.
The Battery, founded by Michael and Xochi Birch, opened in Jackson Square in 2013. The invite-only club has about 5,000 members and charges $2,400 a year for membership.
Previously: Here Comes 'The Battery,' Another Lavish Private Club You Can't Afford
