Workplace Misconduct in the News in March 2024

30 Headlines about Workplace Scandals, Research, and Legislation

Each month, we report on misconduct scandals in the news. And, each month, it only gets easier to find them. January’s edition included 15 examples of misconduct at work in the news. February’s edition highlighted 22 scandals. March’s feature includes a whopping 30 headlines.

These headlines span across scandals like the tragic shooting on the “Rust” set, to more Bravo lawsuits, a look into what’s going on between F1 and Redbull, and the energy company who’s neglect caused Texas’ largest wildfire in history.

But before we share examples, let’s start with some of the research into misconduct, who is committing it, and what can help.

Research About Misconduct at Work

1. Survey says newcomers have lower rate of workplace harassment; experts say fear prevents reporting (Penticton Herald)

“A new survey suggests immigrants are less likely to experience sexual and other harassment in the workplace, but experts say it’s more likely that fear of reprisal is preventing newcomers from reporting the incidents in the first place.”

2. Harassment at work rising, marginalized groups suffering most (HSC)

“Overall, nearly three in 10 women and two in 10 men reported experiencing harassment or sexual assault at work in the 12 months prior to the survey. This is a troubling upward trend when compared to data collected by Statistics Canada (Stats Can) in 2016 which found two in ten women and one of every eight men reported experiencing harassment at work in the past year.”

3. How HR teams can uproot workplace toxicity (HRD Connect)

According to the National Bullying Helpline, 80% of managers are aware that bullying occurs in their workplaces. However, 37% of them admit that they have received no training to combat it.

Now, let’s dive into misconduct scandals that made news across 7 industries.

Misconduct Scandals by Industry

Business and Professional Services

4. Howard Levitt: Legal world's harassment problem laid bare in report (Financial Post)

5. Legal Services Board shines a light on misuse of NDAs in new report (Yahoo Finance)

Consumer Services

6. Luxembourg Railway Security Accused of Neglect Amid Workplace Bullying Claims (BNN)

7. Gucci | Allegations of toxic work culture at fashion powerhouse surface in lawsuit by former employee (HR Grapevine)

Education

8. School worker fired for falsely accusing student of TikTok bathroom video (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

9. Liberty University Fined $14 Million for Mishandling Sex Assaults and Other Crimes (New York Times)

Government

10. The DNA Scandal That Could Threaten Thousands of Criminal Cases (WSJ)

Colorado investigators say star analyst Yvonne ‘Missy’ Woods altered data. Now people she helped send to prison want their convictions re-examined.

11. Opinion: Joe Biden must focus on accountability at Border Patrol (Austin American-Statesman)

“Amid the overwhelming presence of federal and state law enforcement along our much-debated southwest border, a crisis of misconduct has enveloped Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of Border Patrol…. Just this month, Border Patrol’s second-in-command was suspended for unspecified misconduct and retired to avoid further investigation. This comes just a year after the acting chief of Border Patrol’s law enforcement directorate resigned after alleged improper contact with women.”

12. Metro Human Relations Commission says Metro Arts’ 2023 funding decisions were illegal (WPLN)

“The MHRC investigation is just one of a flurry of inquiries surrounding Metro Arts. Metro Finance and the city’s independent auditor are examining the arts department’s financial situation. And Metro Legal is currently investigating Metro Arts over allegations by staffers of workplace misconduct.”

13. Denver Court Manager Resigns After Misusing $25K for Personal Gains Amid Investigation (BNN)

14. Lawsuit alleges hostile workplace, discrimination at Concord PD (The Pioneer)

Manufacturing

15. Lawsuit Alleges SpaceX Manager Sexually Harassed Employee And Offered $100,000 For Abortion (Forbes)

16. Culture of confusion | FAA finds Boeing employees lacked core safety knowledge and feared 'retaliation' over investigations (HR Grapevine)

Media and Entertainment

17. Leah McSweeney files lawsuit against Andy Cohen and Bravo, alleges cast cocaine use (USA Today)

18. Messages leaked hours after F1 boss Christian Horner cleared in workplace misconduct probe (New York Post)

19. Female employee ‘very unhappy’ F1 boss Christian Horner was cleared in Red Bull workplace misconduct probe (NY Post)

20. Sony’s Firesprite Studio Accused of Toxicity and Workplace Misconduct (Play Station Lifestyle)

21. Portland Timbers sponsor DaBella CEO accused of sexual harassment, unwanted advances, former executive says (The Oregonian)

22. ‘Dr. Phil’ Set Alleged to Be a “Toxic Workplace” in New Report (AOL)

23. TikTokers Are Stealing Doctors And Nurses’ Photos To Peddle Pills And Powders (Forbes)

24. ‘Rust’ Armorer Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter As Alec Baldwin Awaits Trial (Forbes)

25. Drake Bell’s Allegations Against Brian Peck: What To Know (Forbes)

“Drake Bell alleges for the first time in a new docuseries former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck sexually abused him as a child, coming forward as the unnamed child actor in Brian Peck’s 2004 conviction.”

Utilities

26. Investment fraud | BP worker's husband guilty of illegal trading after overhearing remote work calls (HR Grapevine)

27. Xcel Energy Admits Role In Sparking Texas' Worst Wildfire In Its History (Forbes)

Various pieces of legislation are now popping up related to misconduct at work that will change the way employees report and even how employers screen and manage misconduct scandals. Learn more:

Legislation about Misconduct at Work

28. NYC bill would ban agreements that shorten discrimination claim filing periods (HR Dive)

29. NJ law serves as model in workplace discrimination cases, study says (a USA Today Affiliate)

30. Impacts Of Los Angeles Court’s Revised Search Procedures On Criminal Background Checks (Forbes)

Misconduct at work only seems to be getting worse. Our upcoming State of Misconduct at Work research in 2023, coming soon, discusses why. Research shows it only takes 1 in 20 workers engaging in misconduct for productivity and retention to see significant declines. Fama’s upcoming report finds that over 1 in 10 candidates are engaging in misconduct – 2x safe levels below the 5% threshold. Even worse – when someone engages in misconduct, they are engaging in more misconduct than in the past. In 2022, Fama’s research found that when someone had misconduct flags they averaged 10 flags. However, 2023’s data found that the average had increased to 12 flags.

Stay tuned for Fama’s flagship State of Misconduct at Work 2023 report and more misconduct in the news. Subscribe to the blog for updates.