A top Indian American executive of the Ford Motor Company was fired after an internal investigation found his behavior “inconsistent with the company's code of conduct”. Raj Nair, a longtime Ford executive who was president for North America, was leaving the company immediately, an announcement said. Ford has reserved any details on what the behavior entailed.
The departure came after several high-profile business leaders have quit or been fired following accusations of sexual misconduct. Ford's chief executive, Jim Hackett released a statement saying, “We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration. Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”
Nair apologised, however, refrained from elaborating. “I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviors consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused,” Nair said in Ford's statement. He was appointed to his current position last May when Hackett became CEO. Just last year, women at the company's Chicago plant said they had been subjected to sexual harassment and that their complaints had been met with hostility and inaction.
