Ford North America President Leaves Following Misconduct Allegations -- Update
February 21 2018 - 5:45PM
Dow Jones News
By Austen Hufford and John D. Stoll
A top Ford Motor Co. executive has been fired following
misconduct allegations, the latest high-ranking leader to be shown
the door amid broader scrutiny of workplace behavior in corporate
America.
Raj Nair, a longtime Ford executive who most recently ran the
auto company's profitable North American business, is leaving after
an investigation found his behavior was inconsistent with the
company's code of conduct. A spokesman said other executives aren't
believed to be under similar suspicion.
While the auto industry hasn't played a central role in a recent
wave of scandal that has engulfed a range of companies and
high-profile personalities or executives, Ford has already had to
confront sexual harassment claims on the factory floor. Its Chicago
plant has been subject to claims brought by women saying they were
harassed and bullied.
Ford Chief Executive Jim Hackett has condemned those behaviors
in Chicago. On Wednesday, Mr. Hackett said in a statement that the
company let Mr. Nair go "after a thorough review and careful
consideration."
The specific nature of the allegations against Mr. Nair wasn't
immediately clear.
Ford spokesman Mark Truby said Mr. Nair's departure stems back
to an anonymous tip received in recent weeks, which the company's
leadership team followed up on.
Mr. Nair is a car enthusiast and once headed Ford's product
development arm. He said in a statement "I sincerely regret that
there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership
behaviors consistent with the principles that the company and I
have always espoused."
Mr. Nair is one of a handful of executives that Mr. Hackett
picked to be part of a management shuffle when he became Ford's CEO
nearly a year ago.
Mr. Nair received a retention bonus less than a year ago, which
would have paid out about $5 million if he had stayed until the end
of the decade. He was one of a number of senior leaders given
special incentives shortly before Mr. Hackett's arrival.
His successor has yet to be announced.
Write to Austen Hufford at austen.hufford@wsj.com and John D.
Stoll at john.stoll@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 21, 2018 17:30 ET (22:30 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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