Ford ousts executive over ‘inappropriate behaviour’
detroit — Ford Motor Co. has ousted one of its top executives over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
North America president Raj Nair is leaving the company effective immediately, Ford said in a statement. His replacement has not yet been named.
Ford officials would not specify what behaviour led to Nair’s departure. Ford investigated after a recent anonymous complaint about Nair was made to the company’s 24-hour hotline.
“We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Hackett in the statement. “Ford is deeply committed
There have been instances where i have not exhibited leadership behaviours consistent with the principles that the company and i have always espoused Raj Nair, Ford North America president
to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”
Nair expressed regret in a statement distributed by Ford.
“There have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviours consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused,” Nair said.
Nair said he had nothing to add to that statement when reached by phone on Wednesday.
Nair joins numerous business leaders who have been fired or have resigned in recent months because of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Casino magnate Steve Wynn resigned from his company earlier this month because of sexual misconduct claims. Omeed Malik, a managing director at Bank of America, resigned in January over a sexual misconduct claim.
Hackett, who joined Ford last May, warned employees at the end of last year that Ford had no tolerance for misconduct after The New York Times documented instances of sexual harassment at two plants in Chicago.
“We don’t want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behaviour like this,” Hackett said in a letter to employees. “Our promise is there will be no retaliation against anyone who speaks up, and no one is above the rules, no matter where they are in the hierarchy. This is absolute.”
Hackett also said Ford had hired more people to investigate charges of harassment or discrimination.
Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst with the car shopping site Autotrader, said companies in every industry are looking at employee behaviour in a new light, and the auto industry is no exception. But the timing is particularly bad for Ford, which has struggled to lay out a clear direction for its future. Nair was a rising star at the company, she said.
Ford Motor Co has appointed company insider Kumar Galhotra as president for its North America business. Galhotra has worked for Ford for 29 years and led its luxury Lincoln Motor Company arm. — AP