Warner Music Group has terminated the employment of a senior executive based in Sweden who is accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment.
The company has also asserted its intention to stamp out any such behavior in future, saying it is “reassessing our internal code of conduct, reporting procedures, and training programs”.
MBW understands that the exec was one of Warner Music Sweden’s highest-ranking employees.
He recently accepted a General Manager role at a frontline UK Warner label – an appointment which was set to commence in January 2018, but has now been scrapped.
The UK-based management team who hired him had no knowledge of the sexual harassment allegations.
The exec in question was suspended last month pending an internal investigation at Warner, but today Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet revealed that he has now officially been fired.
“We’re committed to learning from this experience and we are reassessing our internal code of conduct, reporting procedures, and training programs.”
Warner Music spokesperson
It is believed that ten women came forward to accuse the executive of sexual impropriety, including one who claims he forced her hand inside his underwear.
Others accused him of inviting them to strip clubs during company excursions.
A Warner spokesperson told Aftonbladet: “Following a thorough independent investigation, we’ve terminated this individual’s employment. We’re committed to learning from this experience and we are reassessing our internal code of conduct, reporting procedures, and training programs.
“We are grateful for the courage of those who have spoken out and there is great impetus at our company and within the industry to bring about meaningful, lasting change.”
Last month, 1,993 women in the Swedish music industry had undersigned an open letter in which they allege to have experienced sexual abuse, harassment or overt sexism.Music Business Worldwide
