Ted Baker employees sign petition demanding CEO Ray Kelvin stop hugging them
- An online campaign claiming to represent over 200 employees has called on the company to end ‘forced hugging’ and ‘a culture that leaves harassment unchallenged’.
Employees of the high-end British retailer Ted Baker have accused chief executive Ray Kelvin of harassment, claiming the workplace is dominated by a culture of inappropriate hugging and touching, as well as sexually suggestive comments.
The petition has racked up more than 2,500 public signatures on the employee campaign site Organise. (Typically, workplace harassment complaints are handled through HR or a separate lawsuit, rather than a public petition.)
Ted Baker’s stock price was down more than 15 per cent Monday.
In a statement, Ted Baker said Kelvin often greets people with hugs, including shareholders, investors, suppliers, customers and colleagues.
“Hugs have become part of Ted Baker’s culture, but are absolutely not insisted upon,” the company said.