#9to5Nightmares HR Podcast Episode 8
Highlighting stories from Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, an LA-based OBGYN who sexually abused 100s of patients, and widespread harassment and sexual misconduct at UK McDonald’s
We talk about misconduct so you can avoid it!
While compiling Misconduct in the News in January 2025, it was hard not to notice the onslaught of sexual misconduct and assault across workplaces, industries, and the world. So on Episode 8 of the #9to5Nightmares HR Podcast, hosts Amy Warren and Micole Garatti focused on three disturbing misconduct headlines making waves in the news.
In this episode, you’ll hear stories about the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s OBGYN who is currently being sued in several cases for sexually abusing hundreds of patients over several decades, upcoming legal action against UK McDonald’s by over 700 current and past workers alleging widespread misconduct, and the ongoing saga of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
This episode is one you can’t afford to miss.
Details include:
Lawsuit alleges OBGYN sexually abused 100s of patients; LA-based Cedars-Sinai covered it up
A press release published on Business Wire claims that Dr. Barry J. Brock and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are being sued again with a total of 167 individual claims saying that the OBGYN has been sexually abusing patients at the hospital since he started in the 70s. It’s alleged that Cedars-Sinai gaslighted women and covered up his sexual misconduct over the decades. He wasn’t suspended until August 2024. The law firm also states that over 200 patients have reached out to them regarding the latest lawsuit.
Over 700 U.K. McDonald's workers plan legal action amid widespread misconduct
People recently reported that more than 700 current and former UK McDonald’s workers are taking legal action over "allegations of widespread harassment" across over 450 restaurants. Allegations include sexual assault, discrimination, homophobia, racism, ableism, harassment, and more, with heartbreaking stories including: a young worker was repeatedly pestered for sex, a young worker was asked by their manager how many people they had slept with, and a manager reportedly touched young staff inappropriately on their shifts. The allegations have become so large that McDonald’s UK CEO sat before the UK's parliament to discuss the claims. The UK CEO said they take these claims very seriously and fired 29 people for sexual harassment in the past year. The UK CEO says they will investigate allegations and take action. Considering the widespread nature of these allegations, will their actions be enough?
The sexual misconduct and “we can bury anyone” saga between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Shortly after Blake Lively filed a Civil Rights complaint against Justin Baldoni, his studio co-founder, and others, the New York Times published a lengthy article walking through Lively’s sexual misconduct and reputational harm allegations against Baldoni and his team. The complaint and subsequent federal lawsuit allegations detailed how before filming, Lively was uncomfortable with seemingly unnecessary sex or kissing scenes in the script and requested an intimacy coordinator, an additional producer, and a promise to not retaliate against her for the misconduct complaints. During filming, however, she alleges that Baldoni and his team discussed their sex lives with Lively, showed Lively naked videos of one of their wives, watched her topless and having body makeup removed in her dressing room, and more. As the film release neared, Baldino was allegedly afraid that the misconduct complaint would come out and hired crisis PR experts to launch coordinated social media attacks against Lively to damage her reputation and credibility.
Since the initial article came out, the NYT reported that Baldoni has since filed a lawsuit against them for libel for $250M and saying Blake was trying to bury him with a smear campaign. Baldoni has also been dropped by his talent agency and his podcast co-host Liz Plank, and their mutual castmates have all come out to support Blake.
Fama’s State of Misconduct at Work research finds that sexual misconduct is the second most prevalent type of misconduct behind only online harassment and trolling. For more information about preventing sexual misconduct at work, check out this article on How to Avoid Hiring Sexual Predators Like Jeffrey Epstein or His Clients.
Tune in next time for more misconduct at work and 9 to 5 Nightmares!
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9 to 5 Nightmares Episode 8 features sexual misconduct at work.
To learn more about Fama and how you can avoid misconduct during the candidate screening process, request a demo here.
