BrewDog, a craft beer company, has been accused in a lawsuit of inappropriate behaviour toward women and the abuse of power.
James Watt, chief executive of the company has been criticized by more than fifteen ex-staff members. Some claim that Watt made female bartenders feel uncomfortable and powerless.
According to a BBC Scotland investigation, they were also advised by their colleagues how to get rid of unwanted attention from Mr Watt (38).
More than 100 bars are operated by the Scottish firm, with over 2,000 employees worldwide.
It is understood to be worth around £2billion.
According to the Disclosure program of BBC Scotland, James Watt, BrewDog’s chief executive, was accused of making women uncomfortable.
Katelynn Ising was a BrewDog employee in Ohio. She said the female staff would change their clothes when they saw Mr Watt in their bars.
“We’d make it a point for new girls to be warned…like, “Hey, James Watt is coming to town. You can leave your shift and don’t stay around. [and]You don’t have to do your hair every day.
Others claim that Mr Watt was seen by other staff as staff kissing an intoxicated client on the roof terrace of another US bar.
Watt denied the allegation and said that they are untrue.
James Watt (right) and Martin Dickie (left). Watt refutes all allegations that he behaved inappropriately toward women
A lawyer for Mr Watt said that ‘the only party that Mr Watt could have been present with’ on the roof terrace ‘has confirmed…absolutely no sexual encounter took place.
She also said that, far from intoxicated she was actually driving herself home.
The lawyer for Mr Watt stated that Mr Watt had never given unwanted attention to any female bartender.
Allan Leighton, BrewDog Chairman, said that Mr Watt told him that the BBC’s claims about Watt were incorrect and based upon misinformation.
He added, “James has made a commitment to improve his management style.”
Nearly 300 BrewDog employees, both current and former, signed a petition accusing Watt of leading a culture of fear.
BrewDog’s Mr Leighton stated that BrewDog’s ‘implemented broad-ranging actions to address the concerns raised’.