Dive Brief:
- Fox News named Kevin Lord to head the network’s human resources operation, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Lord’s appointment comes after a series of sexual harassment allegations by Fox female employees against former CEO Roger Ailes, which forced Ailes' resignation in July.
- A culture of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior towards female workers was allegedly promoted and tolerated at Fox under Ailes’ leadership. The women who experienced this behavior reportedly failed to notify human resources because they feared retaliation. When former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson spoke out, other women’s claims followed.
- Lord was the chief human resources officer at Tegna, a media company, before joining Fox. He’ll be overseeing the Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel and other digital programming.
Dive Insight:
Lord might have to rebuild the culture at Fox News, given that some of the employees who worked under Ailes are still there. A culture of sexual harassment and intimidation might not end just because the leadership has changed.
Employers must have zero-tolerance policies for sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct. Managers should be trained to identify inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace and follow up on complaints in compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Employers also must communicate zero-tolerance policies to all employees and enforce them.
