‘Sex pest’ draws condemnation
Firm slammed for harassment culture
GRANT Thornton International (GTIL) yesterday hit out at its South African unit’s culture of sexual harassment after the local unit’s chief executive Paul Badrick took voluntary leave pending an investigation.
GTIL spokesperson Campbell McIlroy said its own investigations into the allegations found that the Johannesburg office failed to meet the values and leadership standard the holding company expected from member firms.
“The Johannesburg firm’s management failed, in these instances, to address inappropriate behaviours that were at odds with what we expect from our senior leaders,” McIlroy said.
“As a result, certain individuals felt their behaviour would be excused or ignored, instead of being dealt with head on. We will continue to monitor and review other steps the firm proposes to undertake to address leadership failures and the underlying culture.”
The allegations against
The Johannesburg office failed to meet the values and leadership standard the holding company expected
Bradick emerged as the international office conducted investigations of the firm’s handling of sexual harassment claims against a former director and head of forensics, Vernon Naidoo.
Grant Thornton Johannesburg said there were two allegations against Badrick.
“The sexual harassment allegations against Mr Badrick occurred during 2015. No formal complaints were made until the GTIL investigation which has just ended. We reiterate that both of these are new allegations and both are still to be investigated,” Grant Thornton Johannesburg said.
The local unit of Grant Thornton in March drew public scorn for its handling of allegations against Naidoo who was accused by former employees of making unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate touching at the office.
Former director Nerisha Singh broke the silence on the sexual harassment culture engulfing the firm in March, recounting how her employment was terminated after she laid a complaint against Naidoo.
Grant Thornton had allowed Naidoo to continue to render services that are billed through the company even after the allegations emerged.
Badrick is the second high profile chief executive to be found wanting on the treatment of female staffers in their companies.
Former Imperial chief Mark Lamberti resigned from the role in April after a damning North Gauteng High Court ruling. The court ruled against him in a race and gender discrimination case.
The court found in favour of an ex-employee, Adila Chowan, regarding a series of incidents which commenced in 2014. Lamberti had referred to Chowan as “female employment equity”.