Workplace Misconduct Examples in the News in July 2023

Misconduct at work is a lot more common than most people think – and exists across industries. Month after month, we publish new Workplace Misconduct Examples that make the news. This month is no different.

From the firing of a legendary football coach for hazing, to celebrity sexual harassment and substance abuse issues, to employees misusing home surveillance videos, and more, see what happened this month below. Headlines are broken out by industry.

1. Sports, Media and Entertainment

Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald is fired following hazing investigation (NPR)
SLO High School Teacher, Basketball Coach on leave after misconduct allegations (KSBY)

2. Government and Law Enforcement

LA sheriff’s office under scrutiny after deputy punches mother holding baby: Officer is seen hitting woman twice in face as she holds her baby in video released by LA county sheriff Robert Luna (The Guardian)
Adult prisoner at Edmonton Young Offender Centre alleges sexual misconduct by employee (Edmonton Journal)
Man Charged with Making Twitter Threat to Florida Governor Ron Desantis (Sun Sentinel)

3. Healthcare

Whistleblower alleges Medtronic engaged in bribery scheme at veterans hospital (CNBC)

4. Financial Services

FCA investigates Crispin Odey over fitness to work in financial services: Regulator’s investigation of hedge fund manager follows allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies (The Guardian)
Compliance Chief Charged With Insider Trading on Information Pilfered From Girlfriend: Steven Teixeira allegedly sought deal scoops by snooping through the laptop of his girlfriend, an assistant at an investment bank (The Wall Street Journal)

5. Technology

Ring Camera Spying on You?! This video outlines an ongoing FTC investigation over Amazon’s Ring watching and sharing inappropriate videos of women in their own homes. Unfortunately, there aren’t any existing regulations over how employees can use or access the home recordings from devices. (Instagram)

6. Reforms and regulations

What if whistleblower discloses employer misconduct to someone already aware of it? (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
In major reform, California attorneys must report misconduct by their peers (LA Times)

Despite workplace misconduct being so common and costly, new regulations, reforms, and guidance are not only inevitable but extremely important. Subscribe to the blog for monthly workplace misconduct examples in the news, and check out our 2020 Benchmarking Report for more information on misconduct by industry.

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