United Way group cleared after probe

An investigation into harassment allegations by three former employees of United Way Worldwide found no evidence of “actionable harassment, discrimination or retaliation,” although the report urged the organization to review and improve its policies regarding such complaints, a statement issued by the nonprofit shows.

Three female former employees filed complaints over the past two years with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying the organization retaliated against them for speaking up about sexual misconduct.

After the allegations were raised internally, two of the women were fired, and United Way Worldwide CEO Brian Gallagher unsuccessfully sought to terminate the third, according to HuffPost. Other former employees also complained anonymously in a letter in December to the United Way’s board about the organization’s work environment, according to HuffPost.

In response to the allegations and the EEOC complaints, United Way Worldwide trustees hired the Proskauer Rose law firm to conduct an independent investigation. The investigation found that the nonprofit followed appropriate procedures in handling the allegations raised by the three women and that employment decisions affecting the women were “based on legitimate, nondiscriminatory and nonretaliatory reasons.”

The information about the internal investigation was released in a letter by Juliette Tuakli, chairwoman of the board of United Way Worldwide, and Neeraj Mehta, chairman of the board of United Way U.S.A.