Misconduct | Ted Baker staff fight back against 'forced hugging'

Staff at top fashion brand Ted Baker are demanding the end of a ‘forced hugging’ culture at their workplace - BBC reports.

A petition, launched by an employee, accuses the firm’s Founder and Boss Ray Kelvin of inappropriate comments and behaviour. As well as unwelcome hugs, he is accused of using sexual innuendo and asking young female members of staff to sit on his knee, cuddle him, or let him massage their ears.

"It is part of a culture that leaves harassment unchallenged," the employees claim. "Please set up a way of reporting harassment to an independent, external body - HR has done nothing with the reports of harassment to date."

Ted Baker responded by stating that the matters raised in the petition were "at odds with the values of our business and those of our CEO".