Nike CEO Apologizes for Corporate Culture That Excluded Some Staff

By Sara Germano 

Nike Inc. boss Mark Parker apologized to employees Thursday for allowing a corporate culture that excluded some staff and failed to take seriously complaints about workplace issues, according to people familiar with the matter.

The rare all-staff meeting by the CEO at the sneaker giant's headquarters follows weeks of turmoil, including the departures of several senior executives and internal complaints of inappropriate behavior.

Mr. Parker spoke in a crowded theater at the Tiger Woods conference center on the Beaverton, Ore., campus. The Nike veteran and CEO since 2006 apologized to those who felt excluded and felt like they didn't have anyone to turn to about their situation, the people said.

The Wall Street Journal in March was first to report that Nike was investigating allegations of inappropriate behavior after a group of women at the company had circulated a survey that reached Mr. Parker. Last month, the Journal reported on flaws in Nike's human-resources department and employees' complaints of a boys' club culture at the company.

(More to come.)

Write to Sara Germano at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2018 22:09 ET (02:09 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.