Misconduct in the News in August 2024
As August 2024 unfolds, we are once again reminded of the critical and ongoing challenges surrounding workplace misconduct. This month’s headlines include significant allegations, such as new claims against MrBeast involving accusations of cover-ups and misconduct, alongside racism claims against Whole Foods & Amazon. Let’s take a look at some of the top workplace misconduct headlines from August 2024:
1. Social Media Creating a Hostile Work Environment: What to Know Following Okonowsky v. Garland (The National Law Review)
“Misuse of social media among coworkers can create a hostile and toxic work environment that can lead to employer liability if not addressed. In Okonowsky v. Garland,...the Ninth Circuit ruled that employers can be held liable for claims of hostile work environment under Title VII if an employee shares content on a personal social media account that negatively impacts the workplace.”
2. Former SF housing nonprofit director Jon Jacobo charged with rape, sexual battery (ABC7)
3. Police Constable lied on job application, misconduct panel rules (BBC)
“A former police officer "intentionally lied" to his new force when he failed to declare his advanced driver authorisation was taken away by a former employer, a misconduct panel has ruled.”
4. Deputy who killed Sonya Massey was removed from the Army, had DUIs and needed ‘high stress decision’ classes, records show (CNN)
“Grayson, who was a Sangamon County, Illinois, sheriff’s deputy before he was fired and charged with murder, responded to a report of a prowler at Massey’s home July 6. Bodycam footage from another deputy showed Massey saying she rebuked Grayson, and Grayson responded by threatening the 36-year-old. The exchange ended with Grayson shooting Massey and failing to render aid.”
5. Trans woman sues Whole Foods & Amazon after allegedly “humiliating” harassment (LGBTQ Nation)
“A transgender woman in Washington, D.C., Ximena Navarrete, claims she was sexually harassed, raped, and generally discriminated against while working at local Whole Foods supermarkets.”
6. California physician surrenders license following alleged misconduct (Becker's ASC Review)
“Anupam Garg, MD, former medical director of the Scripps Health OB-GYN clinic, was accused of sending a patient inappropriate texts and failing to have a chaperone present during a breast exam, pap smear and IUD placement, according to the report.”
7. Nader Al-Naji ’14 charged with fraud over crypto startup, BitClout (The Daily Princetonian)
“The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Nader Al-Naji ’14, the founder of crypto social media platform BitClout, with wire fraud and the sale of unregistered offerings of crypto asset securities on July 30…. “SEC…lleges Al-Naji, using the pseudonym “DiamondHands,” raised over $257 million from unregistered offers and sales of BitClout’s token, BTCLT, while telling investors the money would not be used to pay himself nor employees. However, the SEC alleged that the founder spent over $7 million on personal expenditures such as a Beverly Hills mansion and cash gifts to family.”
8. General Mills Plant Sued by Black Workers Alleging Decades of Racism (MSN)
“The group of employees has accused General Mills management of fostering a racist workplace that has wrongfully demoted workers on a racial basis and used racial slurs against Black employees.”
9. EXCLUSIVE: Survivor ‘STRUGGLING’ to find producers following ‘TOXIC’ workplace complaints (SO DRAMATIC)
10. New Allegations Against MrBeast: Jake Weddle and DogPack404 Accuse Him of Cover-Ups and Misconduct (The Recent Times)
“YouTuber Jimmy ‘MrBeast’ Donaldson is facing a new wave of allegations from former employees Jake Weddle and DogPack404…. accusations range from employing a registered sex offender to creating uncomfortable environments for female participants in MrBeast’s challenge videos.”
11. Broker sues Citi, alleging sexual harassment by a trader (Banking Dive)
“According to the complaint, she was compelled to prioritize her company’s financial interests over her well-being, forcing her to tolerate the alleged mistreatment and a “toxic” work culture.”
12. BBC issues response to new Strictly bullying and toxicity allegations (Radio Times)
“...Junior staff experienced "verbal abuse" from some of the dancers, including ‘shouting, screaming and being insulted, to an extraordinary level’.”
This overview of August’s workplace nightmares highlights just a fraction of the ongoing challenges in creating a safe working environment. You don’t have to face this alone. Solutions like Fama’s online candidate screenings can help. See how Fama compliantly, ethically, and scalably screens for misconduct like violence, sexual misconduct, and fraud before someone even joins your organization.
Looking for more examples of misconduct in the news? Tune in to the 9 to 5 Nightmares Podcast for in-depth discussions on these headlines, expert insights, and practical tips to navigate your workplace challenges.
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