Starbucks district managers accuse regional vice president of sexual harassment

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.examiner.com/x-15092-Starbucks-Examiner~y2010m2d16-Starbucks-district-managers-accuse-regional-vice-president-of-sexual-harassment

February 16, 4:03 AMStarbucks ExaminerCindy Tickle

Starbucks partners (employees) from New York sent a letter to the executive vice president of Partner Resources (Human Resources) accusing their regional vice president of sexual harassment.

Allegedly, during a Starbucks function, executive Andrew Alfano became intoxicated and made disrespectful, sexual comments to a group of female district managers.

The managers also claimed that Mr. Alfano created an unsafe working environment and was responsible for the resignation of two female regional directors. Fearing retaliation, the mangers kept quiet until the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by Kati Moore, a former Starbucks barista,

After today's conference call regarding the sexual harassment case in California and ABC's 20/20 coverage of the lawsuit, we felt compelled to speak up and protect the brand from this man. As women, being under his leadership is very uncomfortable. Mr. Alfano has compromised our Mission Statement and Starbucks Coffee core values."

This doesn't look good for Starbucks which portrays itself as a good corporate citizen. Hopefully, the specialty coffee company has taken steps to investigate these allegations.

FULL story at link.

[LisaM]

1. There was a piece on alleged sexual harrassment at Starbucks on ABC recently

in that caes, the manager (unfortunately named Tim Horton) was accused of having an ongoing sexual affair with a high school-aged employee.