NFL, Washington Football Team.Photo: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty; Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The independent investigation into the allegations of toxic workplace culture at the Washington Football team has concluded, resulting in a $10 million fine for the team.
TheNFLannounced the fine, as well as several other required steps for the team to take moving forward, on Thursday.
“Bullying and intimidation frequently took place and many described the culture as one of fear, and numerous female employees reported having experienced sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace,” the statement said.
Washington Football Team Stadium.Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty
The investigation was ordered after theWashington Postpublished two reports about the team’s workplace environment last summer.
On Thursday, the NFL said that “none of the managers or executives identified as having engaged in misconduct is still employed at the club.”
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The $10 million fine money will be used “to support organizations committed to character education, anti-bullying, healthy relationships and related topics. They will also fund programs directed more broadly at improving the workplace, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups, and training and development programs throughout the league, with recipients identified with the assistance of respected third-party advisors.”
Among Wilkinson’s recommendations for the organization were semi-annual reviews from an independent third party until July 31, 2023; establishing a formal protocol for reporting allegations of harassment and misconduct; protocol for when disciplinary actions are necessary; frequent anonymous surveys about the company culture; an expansion of HR and legal counsel; a detailed plan to “protect” the cheerleaders; and others.
Team owner Dan Snyder andissued a statementThursday accepting responsibility for the workplace environment and promising to implement Wilkinson’s recommendations.
“I know that as the owner, I am ultimately responsible for the workplace,” Dan said. “I feel great remorse for the people who had difficult, even traumatic, experiences while working here. I’m truly sorry for that.”
“I can’t turn back the clock, but I promise that nobody who works here will ever have that kind of experience again, at least not as long as Tanya and I are the owners of this team.”
Dan Snyder.Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty
Dan’s wife, Tanya Snyder, will be responsible for day-to-day team operations and will represent the club at league meetings and activities as the recently named co-CEO. Meanwhile, Dan will focus on a new stadium plan and other matters, the NFL’s statement said.
Dan said that the Washington Football Team is “not finished” making changes, and “will continue to improve in every way that we can.”
“I appreciate the people who came forward and intend fully to implement all of the recommendations coming out of the investigation. Going forward, my focus will be on making the Washington Football Team a source of pride to all of its employees, fans and partners, including my partners in the NFL,” he added.
source: people.com
