3rd Dec 2018 07:25
LONDON (Alliance News) - Several current and former Ted Baker PLC employees have accused the fashion retailer's Founder & Chief Executive Ray Kelvin of implementing a culture of "forced hugs" that amounts to harassment, Sky News reported on Sunday.
According to the news agency, more than 60 people have come forward to launch an online petition detailing alleged experiences with Kelvin and calling for the company to end its "awkward hugging policy". The complainants claim Kelvin would give unwanted hugs, shoulder massages and kisses on the back of their ears at the company's London head office.
Ted Baker said in a statement it would make sure an independent investigation was carried out.
"While the claims made are entirely at odds with the values of our business and those of our CEO, we take them very seriously. Ray greets many people he meets with a hug - be it a shareholder, investor, supplier, partner, customer or colleague. Hugs have become part of Ted Baker's culture, but are absolutely not insisted upon," the company said in a statement.
https://news.sky.com/story/ted-baker-employees-complain-of-founders-awkward-hugging-policy-11569607
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