Boeing CEO fired for affair

[mrnoodle]

Here's the story. He's married with kids and grandkids, and the woman he was diddling didn't report directly to him, but the CEO of Boeing was still asked to resign in the wake of an affair with an employee.

Puritanical witch-hunt or righteous firing? I can't decide.

[OnyxCougar]

I'd like to see their code of conduct, and see if it forbids adultery or states "no sexual relationships between employees are allowed."

If not, I'd fight it.

[Happy Monkey]

At the very least, I'd suspect Boeing expects employee relationships to be reported to HR. It's also possible the affair could affect his security clearance.

[Undertoad]

What does xoxoxoBruce have to do with this?

[lookout123]

Senior leadership having an affair with ANY employee would leave that company open to some serious litigation for sexual harrassment among other things. even if he wasn't her direct supervisor, he is the CEO so she does work for him.

at a company i worked for a woman, who we will call Ms. Skank, did 3/4 of the managers over about 18 months. in each case she initiated the affair, but then turned around and sued for sexual harassment. she got a nice check out of it.

[SteveDallas]

Originally Posted by lookout123

in each case she initiated the affair, but then turned around and sued for sexual harassment. she got a nice check out of it.

Umm, after she did this once or twice, didn't managers # 3, 4, 5, etc. start to sense a trend?

[lookout123]

i didn't say they were good or smart managers. she was hot. willing. aggressive. they were men. a very dangerous mix.

[wolf]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

What does xoxoxoBruce have to do with this?

She musta gone for the CEO when she found out that bruce's dance card was full.

[breakingnews]

Apparently Stonecipher was a "forceful" leader who was a big proponent of ethical behavior. Nothing in their ethics code (according to notes here) says anything about company-cest, but the board decided his actions would compromise his integrity.

However, Platt said, Stonecipher acknowledged the affair and the company concluded that his behavior violated a code which states that Boeing employees will not engage in conduct or activity that might raise questions about its honesty, impartiality or integrity.

"The board concluded that the facts reflected poorly on Harry's judgment and would impair his ability to lead the company," he said.

You're a leader of a major corporation (you are a leader of any company, for that matter). Poor judgment will inevitably lead to dissention in the ranks. Not surprised they kicked his ass out. No witch-hunting here: Just protection from liability and an effort to skirt anything that might marr the company's already failing reputation.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

What does xoxoxoBruce have to do with this?

Stonecipher back stabbed Condit and set up Sears, to take over. He's led Boeing down the same path he led McDonnell Douglas to big profits on the federal teat while jeopardizing the long term health of the company.
Canned for screwing an employee? Hell, he screwed every employee, every day.
Now I'm going to have to sit through another all day ethics seminar while this cocksucker walks away with hundreds of millions. Oh...I forgot....he's been embarrassed. Big whoop.

[Radar]

The girl was trying to sleep her way to the top. He got caught with his hand in the nookie jar. I can say that while I was with Boeing, ethics were a serious business; especially after they lost 7 satellites when a guy who was hired brought plans he made when working for another company, and the CFO got busted for hiring a military member who helped Boeing get a contract to lease airplanes to the government for re-fuelling when buying them would be cheaper.

Should he be in trouble? HELL NO! What's the point of being a CEO if you can't nail a few younger and hotter women attracted to wealth and power? Why do men try to be successful in business? Women. It's the same answer for every single thing straight men do or don't do.

[Pie]

This is just an overreaction to the string of scandals that have been plaguing boeing. As a competitor, I have to say that it couldn't happen to a better company.
- Pie

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by lookout123

at a company i worked for a woman, who we will call Ms. Skank, did 3/4 of the managers over about 18 months. in each case she initiated the affair, but then turned around and sued for sexual harassment. she got a nice check out of it.

Government-santioned boffing for dollars?

[redsonia]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Now I'm going to have to sit through another all day ethics seminar while this cocksucker walks away with hundreds of millions.

Been there, done that, Bruce. Since Boeing took us over the ethics seminars have multiplied like bunnies. I keep saying that ethics begin at home, but no one here is listening.

[xoxoxoBruce]

To all Boeing employees:
Over the weekend, the Board of Directors asked for and received Harry Stonecipher’s resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer. We have appointed James Bell as interim President and CEO.

Events that led to this action began 10 days ago, when General Counsel Doug Bain, Vice President of Ethics Martha Ries and I received anonymous information regarding a personal relationship between Harry and a female executive of the company. The board took this matter seriously and immediately instructed the General Counsel’s office to bring in outside counsel and lead a thorough inquiry into the facts. All parties cooperated fully and candidly with the inquiry, which determined that there is, in fact, such a relationship—and that it is consensual and had no effect on the conduct of the business. Harry did not interfere in any way with the career path or compensation of the other executive, and she does not report directly to him.

However, the board holds the CEO to the highest of professional and personal standards. We concluded that the facts reflected poorly on Harry’s judgment and would impair his ability to lead the company forward. Finally, Harry’s actions were inconsistent with the Boeing Code of Conduct—specifically, the portion that states “Employees will not engage in conduct or activity that may raise questions as to the company’s honesty, impartiality, reputation or otherwise cause embarrassment to the company.”

The Board therefore decided that it had no choice but to request Harry’s resignation, especially since we—and much of the rest of the world—have considered him as an icon of Boeing’s integrity. Harry came out of retirement to lead this company through a difficult time, and he has been a giant in this industry for many years. His resignation was in no way related to the company’s operational performance or financial condition.

Speaking for the board, we want to reiterate that we are committed to strong ethical leadership. Whenever we see improper activity, we will act quickly and thoroughly to determine the facts and take decisive action regardless of the individual’s position in the company. Our customers, shareholders, suppliers, communities—and, especially, each of you—deserve nothing less.

James Bell, who will also retain his current responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer, will provide the company with consistent leadership as the board accelerates its search for a permanent President and CEO. The succession plan includes both internal and external candidates. James has told me he looks forward to returning to the CFO position when the board has named the permanent President and CEO. We are confident he is the right person to lead the company during this interim period.

Boeing’s financial position is very strong; our current performance is excellent; and our growth prospects are bright. That cannot be attributed to any single person. It has taken extraordinary commitment by every Boeing employee to move us from where we have been to where we are now. For that I thank you. And I ask for your support in helping James and me lead Boeing forward.