Dive Brief:
- Uber Techologies Inc. fired more than 20 employees in its ongoing sexual harassment probe, reports Bloomberg. Last year, the ride-hailing company hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder after claims of sexual misconduct at the company went public.
- According to Bloomberg, law firm Perkins Coie LLP reviewed 215 human-resources claims. So far the firm has "taken no action" in at least 100 of the cases, but probes continue in 57 others cases, the firm told Bloomberg. Holder reportedly is leading a separate investigation, the findings of which aren't expected to be made public until next week, says a company spokesperson.
- Since the sexual harassment scandal broke, several executives have left the company, including the heads of finance, growth, engineering and policy and communications, Bloomberg reports.
Dive Insight:
Uber's sexual misconduct troubles went public last year after a former engineering employee, Susan Fowler, put up a blog post alleging she was sexually harassed at the company and that HR and senior management ignored her complaints.
Uber vowed to commit to a cultural overhaul in response. It even expanded what it called its diversity team to rid the company of what appeared to be a work environment that tolerated sexual misconduct.
While Uber has been a sort of poster child for Silicon Valley's general harassment problem (which the company has taken many steps to fix), the very structure of HR overall could accidentally serve as a blockade rather than enable employees to come forward with their problems. A good HR leader has to have empathy and listening skills — and a company should be sure to take note of employees who express such qualities.
