PinkNews bosses accused of sexual misconduct

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Multiple former and current employees of PinkNews, the world’s largest LGBT news website, have alleged that the couple who run it, Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James, engaged in inappropriate behavior towards staff, including sexual misconduct, heavy drinking culture, and misogyny. Some claim that alcohol was a significant factor in many of the inappropriate behaviors, and that “Prosecco Friday” was an attempt to boost staff morale.

One former staff member, who we are calling Gary, claimed to have witnessed Dr. James kissing and touching a colleague who was too drunk to consent, pointing to a culture of heavy drinking events being normalized among senior staff. Moreover, many staff members claimed that Benjamin Cohen acted inappropriately towards younger male employees. Cohen’s father, Richard Cohen, is the chief lawyer for the website.

Allegations of misogyny were also levied against Cohen and James, with some young female staff members complaining about being asked to act as the couple’s surrogates. Some staff were shouted at and belittled, with a toxic company culture reported by several employees.

More than thirty current and former PinkNews staff members spoke to the BBC about the toxic workplace environment. The allegations suggest that the couple’s position at the organization may have made it difficult for staff members to report their discomfort with their behavior. None of the allegations have been proven in a court of law. Cohen and James deny the allegations in their entirety.

Reports of inequality and harassment of women are not unknown in the workplace, and such allegations can have severe consequences on the affected parties. Allegations of sexism in workplaces have led to mass walkouts by female staff at Google and to the founder of Papa John’s being forced to resign. If true, the allegations against the PinkNews bosses may lead to significant changes at the company

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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