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Nike sees next senior departure following workplace behaviour complaints

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Nike's VP and general manager of global categories Jayme Martin (pictured), has exited the company, following complaints regarding inappropriate behaviour.

This comes soon after president of Nike brand Trevor Edwards resigned from Nike Inc. last week, amidst reports about internal complaints of workplace behaviour. According to the Wall Street Journal, both men have been accused of protecting male employees who degraded women and bullied employees from foreign countries.

Martin has been with the company for about 16 years, and was in his current role for close to six years, according to his LinkedIn. Prior to that, Martin was the VP and general manager of global running at Nike for more than two years. He was also in charge of emerging markets as well as footwear for the EMEA region during his time at the footwear company.

According to CNBC, an informal survey was circulated by a group of female employees at Nike in 2017 to obtain insight into other women's experiences regarding discrimination and inappropriate behaviour at Nike. Nike CEO Mark Parker commenced a formal review after the survey was brought to his attention, leading to the resignation of both Martin and Edwards. Marketing has reached out to Nike for comment.

Last week, Parker wrote CEO Mark Parker wrote in an internal memo that he will restructure the leadership team to enable “closer management and sharper focus” on the company’s culture. His note also touched on Edwards’ resignation, adding that Edwards will serve as an advisor to him until his retirement. Parker also said he is committed to serve as chairman, president and CEO for Nike beyond 2020.

Nike is not the only company to have experienced complaints about workplace misconduct. Earlier this month, Unilever marketer Mark Clarke departed the company admit an internal investigation into sexual-harassment allegations by an unnamed contractor. In February this year, Lululemon Athletica Inc’s CEO Laurent Potdevin also resigned effective immediately after exhibiting behaviour that fell short of the company’s standards of conduct, such as exemplifying integrity and respect for one another.

The story was first reported by Marketing-interactive.com.

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