Society has seen time and time again the repercussions of a tainted reputation due to controversial leadership. Recently, Harvey Weinstein, co-founder of the Weinstein Company and member of the motion picture Academy, served as an example of how unethical actions can lead to detrimental consequences.  Weinstein, one of the biggest Oscar players in history, was instantly turned into a hall-of-fame pariah when he was “instantly expelled” from the Motion Picture Academy following sexual harassment and rape allegations revealed by The New York Times and The New Yorker.

In a statement, the academy said

“We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over. What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society.”

Not only has Weinstein received backlash from the academy, but has also bore the consequences of his actions in respect to his own company. On October 6, 2017 three of the company’s nine members of the board of directors resigned following sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein.Weinstein then announced an indefinite leave of absence which was followed by an announcement that he had been fired. Furthermore, the company is considering renaming the company as a sign of renewal following a blow to its public reputation. 

The ousting of Mr. Weinstein is largely symbolic as the roughly 8,400-member academy is not historically known to have taken such drastic measures. For example, when Roman Polanski, pleaded guilty in a sex crime case involving a 13-year-old girl;  Bill Cosby  was accused of sexual assault; and when Mel Gibson pleaded no contest to a charge of battery against an old girlfriend in 2011. The case of Harvey Weinstein begs the question of whether similar measures will be taken to address other members who have accusations and charges against them.

This case touches upon many concepts discussed in lectures. From business ethics to performance management, this story resonates with issues of company leaders whose reputation can ruin a company. Similar to the case of Uber’s Travis Kalanick discussed in class, we can see how ethical complications stemming from top executives translates to detrimental consequences for the company as a whole and often results in removal of said executives.

In the case of Harvey Weinstein, questions of ethics ripple throughout- should other members of the academy by under similar scrutiny? How does this case set precedent for the media industry and corporations at large?

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Works Cited:

Barnes, B. (2017, October 14). Harvey Weinstein Ousted From Motion Picture Academy. Retrieved October 14, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/14/business/media/harvey-weinstein-ousted-from-motion-picture-academy.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness-media

 

Farrow, R. (2017, October 12). From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories. Retrieved October 14, 2017, from https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/from-aggressive-overtures-to-sexual-assault-harvey-weinsteins-accusers-tell-their-stories

 

Lartey, J., Helmore, E., & Batty, D. (2017, October 14). Harvey Weinstein expelled from Academy over sexual assault allegations. Retrieved October 14, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/14/harvey-weinstein-oscars-academy-holds-emergency-meeting

 

Press, T. A. (2017, October 10). Hollywood condemnation of Weinstein grows louder. Retrieved October 14, 2017, from http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/entertainment/hollywood-condemnation-weinstein-grows-louder-article-1.3550440