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Several more high profile companies have found themselves under the media spotlight recently, following allegations of sexual harassment against senior management.
Over the past few years, technology company Uber has achieved great business success with its ridesharing app, but has recently found itself in murkier waters after one of its former female engineers took to social media in February to claim she had been a victim of sexual harassment.
Susan Fowler alleged that despite making numerous complaints about the behaviour of one particular employee, she received no assistance from either senior management or the company’s HR department, reports the Guardian. Instead the company appeared to be protecting the male employee she had accused of sexual harassment and actually threatened her with dismissal if she continued to make complaints.
Fowler also revealed that other women reported experiencing similar treatment from the same male employee during their time at Uber, but again the company had failed to take any action to prevent this type of behaviour.
Following these revelations, founder and CEO Travis Kalanick ordered that a full investigation be carried out into the allegations, describing the alleged behaviour as ‘abhorrent’. He also appointed a former U.S. Attorney General to conduct a review of Uber’s working environment, reports BusinessManagement Daily.
A number of recommendations came out of this review, many of which Uber adopted, however the company was unable to shake off the sexual harassment shadow, with several more incidents occurring that eventually led to Kalanick announcing he would be taking a leave of absence from the company, followed shortly by the news that he would be stepping down as CEO.
Unfortunately, the treatment described by Susan Fowler doesn’t appear to be happening in isolation. A survey conducted last year amongst women working in Silicon Valley found that as many as 60% had experienced sexual harassment, and around one third of this had been conducted by the women’s direct superiors.
The Guardian reports that around 39% of those who had been harassed didn’t want to report it because of fears it would prove detrimental to their career. Worryingly, 60% of women who did report their harassment were not satisfied with how their complaint was dealt with.
A second company that has found itself mired in allegations of sexual harassment is venture capital firm Binary Capital, where co-founder Justin Caldbeck recently announced his intention to take an indefinite leave of absence.
According to the Guardian, the announcement follows allegations of sexual harassment by six women, some of which took place when women who were looking to start their own businesses approached Caldbeck for funding or advice.
Both Caldbeck and Binary Capital initially dismissed the claims, however Caldbeck later changed his mind and apologised for his behaviour. He also stated his intention to see a counsellor.
At Lloyd Donnelly our solicitors are experts in dealing with sexual harassment complaints and have acted for many people who have suffered this indignity at work. We are compassionate in our approach and understand what you have been going through. Contact us today and our specialist solicitors can help you claim compensation for lost income and the distress you have suffered.
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