Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Reach Us
    • Career
    Subscribe Newsletter
    HR KathaHR Katha
    • Exclusive
      • Exclusive Features
      • Research
      • Point Of View
      • Case In Point
      • Dialogue
      • Movement
      • Profile
      • Beyond Work
      • Rising Star
      • By Invitation
    • News
      • Global HR News
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Diversity
      • Events
      • Gen Y
      • Hiring & Firing
      • HR & Labour Laws
      • Learning & Development
      • Merger & Acquisition
      • Performance Management & Productivity
      • Talent Management
      • Tools & Technology
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Special
      • Cover Story
      • Editorial
      • HR Forecast 2024
      • HR Forecast 2023
      • HR Forecast 2022
      • HR Forecast 2021
      • HR Forecast 2020
      • HR Forecast 2019
      • New Age Learning
      • Coaching and Training
      • Learn-Engage-Transform
    • Magazine
    • Reports
      • Whitepaper
        • HR Forecast 2024 e-mag
        • Future-proofing Manufacturing Through Digital Transformation
        • Employee Healthcare & Wellness Benefits: A Guide for Indian MSMEs
        • Build a Future Ready Organisation For The Road Ahead
        • Employee Experience Strategy
        • HRKatha 2019 Forecast
        • Decoding and Driving Employee Engagement
        • One Platform, Infinite Possibilities
      • Survey Reports
        • Happiness at Work
        • Upskilling for Jobs of the Future
        • The Labour Code 2020
    • Conferences
      • Rising Star Leadership Awards
      • HRKatha Futurecast
      • Automation.NXT
      • The Great HR Debate
    • HR Jobs
    WhatsApp LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook Instagram
    HR KathaHR Katha
    Home»News»Just do it: Nike women force top male executives out of the company
    News

    Just do it: Nike women force top male executives out of the company

    mmBy Prajjal Saha | HRKathaMay 1, 20183 Mins Read3018 Views
    Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Share
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    At Nike, Women were made to feel ostracised in meetings, were passed over for promotions, and were forced to deal with a blunted career path.

    Even while people across the world may just love a brand for its quality and image, the inside story could be rather horrifying. This is what happened at Nike. While the brand has enjoyed a great iconic stature, women employees inside the organisation have apparently been going through hell.

    It was indeed a toxic workplace. Women were made to feel ostracised in meetings, were passed over for promotions, and were forced to deal with a blunted career path.

    There have been innumerable instances of total disrespect for women —a supervisor bragging about the condoms he carried in his backpack; a boss trying to forcibly kiss a woman subordinate, and another referring to a staff member’s breasts in an e-mail to her.

    In another case, a woman employee had complained to the HR that her boss threw his car keys at her and called her a “stupid bitch.” Unfortunately, no action was taken against him and he continued to be her boss!

    The employee whose supervisor tried to kiss her in the bathroom set up a meeting with human resources to discuss it, and was taken aback when she was told to meet her representative in the Mia Hamm cafe — a public space on Nike’s sprawling campus.

    But finally, these brave women fought back and literally stood up for what the brand promises —Just Do It.

    A group of women employees surveyed their women peers, to find out whether they had been victims of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Their findings set off an upheaval in the executive ranks of the Company.

    Last month, the packet of completed questionnaires finally landed on the desk of Mark Parker, the CEO of Nike.

    This resulted in the exit of several top male employees including Trevor Edwards, president of the Nike brand, who was widely viewed as a leading candidate to be the next CEO, and Jayme Martin, Edwards’ lieutenant, who oversaw much of Nike’s global business.

    The Company’s head of diversity and inclusion, a vice president in footwear, and a senior director for Nike’s basketball division were also made to go.

    Post this, Nike has started a comprehensive review of its HR operations, making management training mandatory and revising many of its internal reporting procedures.

    HR is an equal culprit in this as most complaints were handled casually giving rise to a situation where women, instead of believing in HR, avoided the department, fearing retribution. They were convinced that HR would not help or do anything at all. Nike’s HR was headed by David Ayre until last year.

     

    Gender discrimination Nike Nike women Sexual Harrasment
    Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    mm
    Prajjal Saha | HRKatha

    Dr. Prajjal Saha, editor and publisher of HRKatha since 2015, leverages over 25 years of experience in business journalism, writing, and editing. He founded HRKatha to provide insightful analysis on the evolving workplace. With expertise spanning HR, marketing, distribution, and technology, Saha has a deep understanding of business dynamics. His authorship of the acclaimed Marketing White Book highlights his versatility beyond HR. A trusted voice across industries, his clear and thoughtful commentary has earned him a reputation for thought leadership, making him a reliable source of knowledge and insights for professionals navigating the complexities of the business world.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    14 − 2 =

    Related Posts

    Hyundai Motor India nears new wage agreement with recognised union

    June 24, 2025

    Marriage leave among other HR reforms for Sharjah government employees

    June 24, 2025

    Former in-n-out employee sues for 25 crore; alleges hair discrimination

    June 24, 2025

    Zepto under fire; former employee exposes food- safety issues

    June 24, 2025

    QUICK HR INSIGHTS

    EDITOR'S PICKS

    The invisible crisis: why workers are quietly checking out

    June 24, 2025

    How corporate culture change dies a thousand small deaths

    June 23, 2025

    The Great Displacement: How automation is reshaping India’s workforce

    June 20, 2025

    How corporate prejudices are strangling innovation in the workplace

    June 19, 2025
    Latest Post

    Hyundai Motor India nears new wage agreement with recognised union

    News June 24, 2025

    Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), the passenger car manufacturer, is set to finalise a new long-term…

    Is AI overhyped? 62% employees say ‘Yes’!

    Research June 24, 2025

    A whopping 78 per cent of employees are using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the…

    Marriage leave among other HR reforms for Sharjah government employees

    News June 24, 2025

    In a major overhaul of public-sector policies, the Government of Sharjah has introduced a new…

    Former in-n-out employee sues for 25 crore; alleges hair discrimination

    News June 24, 2025

    A former employee of American fast-food giant, In-N-Out Burger has filed a lawsuit seeking damages…

    Asia's No.1 HR Platform

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn WhatsApp Bluesky
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Career
    • Reach Us
    • Exclusive Features
    • Cover Story
    • Editorial
    • Dive into the Future of Work: Download HRForecast 2024 Now!
    © 2025 HRKatha.com
    • Disclaimer
    • Refunds & Cancellation Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.