5 of the worst ways to manage people

Seemingly, not a month goes by without Sports Direct making some controversial waves in the employment law space. Since December 2015, the cut-price sports retailer has faced scrutiny over work practises and standards.

Now, the firm are topping the news reels for the behaviour, and ensuing legal troubles, of boss Mike Ashley. Accusations of boozy colleague meetings and unusual deal-making surround him.

Claims of 12-pint drinking competitions with staff, a culture of ‘banter’ and a boss who would ‘nap’ under the table at meetings he found boring are just a few revelations made public.

However, it isn’t only Sports Direct’s corporate culture and employer brand that has faced serious questions of late. Much of Silicon Valley’s biggest players are having their HR-and-employee-culture skeletons very publicly unearthed and examined – with the role of HR and bosses studied intensely.