What does the Al-Fayed case mean for employers? Opinion The allegations against Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed are particularly egregious, but they could have lasting ramifications for employment law, explains Dan Parker The maelstrom of recent allegations of sexual harassment emerging from Mohamed Al-Fayed‘s ownership of Harrods is deeply concerning. On one hand, the task of reckoning with these allegations is likely to be enormous [...]
Harrods faces major Christmas strike as staff demand inflation-busting festive bonus Retail London’s iconic department store Harrods is facing the prospect of major strike action by its staff over the critical Christmas period. Hundreds of staff, who are members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, will vote on strike action in December over what they have described as “poor working conditions” and their festive [...]
Labour’s ‘growth’ agenda already looks like a bad joke Business Well, that didn’t take long to unravel: the first Labour Budget for nearly 15 years, and the first ever by a female chancellor, saw the parallels with Kwasi Kwarteng’s infamous 2022 mini-Budget emerging within hours. The comparison was misguided, although the jittery reaction of financial investors and rise in government funding costs told its own [...]
Fenwick: John Lewis rival slumps into the red and cuts jobs October 15, 2024 Department store chain Fenwick slumped back into the red and cut jobs as it battled the cost-of-living crisis and a “changing retail environment”. The Newcastle-headquartered business has reported a pre-tax loss of £28.3m for the year to 26 January, 2024, having previously made a pre-tax profit of £57.1m in the prior 12 months. Newly-filed accounts [...]
Public opinion of Harrods craters following claims against Al Fayed October 3, 2024 Yougov’s chief executive Steve Hatch takes a closer look at the data behind the biggest stories in business. On 19 September, the BBC aired a documentary in which more than 20 female ex-employees of Harrods made abuse allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed. Since the original broadcast, 200 more women have come forward with claims against the luxury [...]
Harrods boss admits after Mohamed Al Fayed allegations: ‘We failed our colleagues’ September 26, 2024 The current managing director of Harrods has apologised and said the business “failed our colleagues” following sexual misconduct allegations about former owner Mohamed Al Fayed. Michael Ward said in a statement that it is clear Mr Al Fayed “presided over a toxic culture of secrecy, intimidation, fear of repercussion and sexual misconduct”. Mr Ward, who [...]
Mohamed Al-Fayed scandal: Harrods and Met Police may be hit with legal action September 23, 2024 London's luxury story Harrods and the Metropolitan Police may be hit with legal action following the revelations of allegations against the former billionaire boss
Harrods bosses should be questioned over Al Fayed ‘collusion’, says ex-employee September 21, 2024 Some Harrods bosses should be questioned over “collusion” with alleged misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed, a former employee at the department store has said. Five women alleged they were raped by Al Fayed, the former owner of Harrods who died last year at the age of 94, with a number of others alleging sexual misconduct. [...]
Ritz Paris: Profit slashed despite US popularity at Al-Fayed-owned luxury hotel August 5, 2024 Ritz Paris, the luxury hotel owned by the Al-Fayed family, saw its profit slashed during 2023 despite sales jumping thanks to its continuing popularity among US visitors.
Princess Diana and Raine Spencer’s Mayfair family home is up for sale June 24, 2024 Danish Arif, head of Mayfair Sales at Chestertons, said: “This important family house is equipped and decorated to a high standard and benefits.