Staff at Moët Hennessy, the wines and spirits arm of the French luxury giant LVMH, have reported a “toxic culture” of alleged sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation and claimed that a “boys’ club” mentality reigns in the company.
The claims emerged after a case brought last autumn by Maria Gasparovic, a self-styled whistleblower who was sacked for “gross misconduct” before making public allegations that executives had subjected her to sexual harassment, gender discrimination, denigration and unfair dismissal.
The company, whose brands include Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as Glenmorangie whisky and Hennessy cognac, has rejected her allegations. It filed a defamation suit against Gasparovic, formerly chief of staff for the Moët Hennessy global head of distribution, after she posted her claims on LinkedIn.
A dozen people connected to the company have since come forward, saying there had been a series of executive departures “related to a toxic workplace environment where bullying and mismanagement were problems”, the Financial Times reported.
At least 20 staff at the business’s headquarters went on long-term sick leave last year and many employees complained of stress and bullying, the newspaper said. At least four other female employees at the Paris headquarters had reported bullying and harassment before leaving the group, it added.
“Gossip and rumours were rife at Moët Hennessy, while a ‘boys’ club’ mentality was common,”...
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