Vice Media Fires 3 Employees After Discovery Of Sexual Harassment Claims
The latest wave of sexual harassment allegations that rocked and blindsided the media industry has now hit Vice Media.
Vice Media terminated three unknown employees after the company discovered numerous alleged allegations regarding foul behavior including sexual harassment in the workplace.
"The conduct of these employees ranged from verbal and sexual harassment to other behavior that is inconsistent with our policies, our values, and the way in which we believe colleagues should work together," Vice stated in a leaked memo.
Susan Tohyama, Vice's head of Human Resources refused to reveal the identities of the three terminated workers who were the subject of the alleged complaints. She also encouraged employees to step forward if they experienced some form of harassment.
"I want to say again how important it is that you report any inappropriate conduct that you've experienced or witnessed. Working together we can move forward to ensure this is an inclusive, fair, safe, creative, and fun place to be." Tohyama wrote.
Vice's History Of Harassment
This incident is not Vice Media's first. A 2015 investigative piece discovered that the company was a "toxic" working environment filled with misogynistic tendencies. Kaj Larsen, who served as the media outlet's Los Angeles bureau chief, found himself terminated after he engaged in inappropriate activity multiple times with one of his colleagues.
Jason Mojica, another high profile Vice Media employee, is currently suspended from his role as the head of the media outlet's documentary film unit. Vice has been mum regarding Mojica's employment status. Numerous outlets will continue investigations on Vice as the story develops.
Strengthening Vice's Company Culture
The media outlet is hoping to change its image in the public eye by adding several resources to strengthen their employees' empowerment.
"I am very serious about ensuring that this company's policies and procedures are consistent with the best practices in the HR industry." Tohyama wrote.
Vice installed a hotline for employees to report abuse to both Tohyama and Vice's lawyers. In addition, the organization has formed an advisory committee that will give the media outlet's leaders and employees a much safer work environment. The advisory committee membership consists of iconic women's rights activist Gloria Steinem, lawyer Roberta Kaplan, Tina Tchen, and Maya Harris. Tchen and Harris were employees of former First Ladies Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Since the first issue of Vice Magazine was published in 1994, Vice Media has blossomed into a company that has covered stories on the music industry, LGBTQ community, and politics. Vice has also expanded its film and documentary departments.
