Wife’s Affair Grounds for CEO Discharge?
The Man Gene turned inside out. It’s usually a male CEO who’s caught in an affair. If the CEO’s spouse is caught in an affair, should the CEO be fired?
Northern Ireland’s top leader, the First Minister, has taken a six weeks leave of absence to deal with his wife’s affair. She’s tried to kill herself and is under acute psychiatric care. Her lover of two years was, at the beginning of the relationship, a teenager. The spouse is an influential lawmaker in her own right. She’s accused of borrowing $80,000 from two property developers (conceivably a shakedown of two political donors) to help her young paramour start a coffeehouse. Now, her CEO husband is accused of knowing about the loans but taking no action — something he denies.
Let’s take off the table the First Minister’s alleged knowledge of the loans. Let’s say he he didn’t know and had nothing to do with it. Could he still be fired? Probably. Should he still be fired? Probably.
One could argue that the First Minister didn’t do anything wrong — that he shouldn’t be held accountable for his spouse’s indiscretions. But he’s responsible for running the country. It’s highly unlikely that a leave of absence will remove the enormous distraction of this sordid situation. One can also argue that he can’t possibly do his job under the circumstances.
A CEO doesn’t have to be fired in this kind of situation. Depending on how all the facts shake out, he may become the sympathetic man scorned. Why should he be punished? It’s not so much a matter of punishment as it is a matter of what’s best for the country. In that vein, he should convert his leave of absence into a resignation. If he can’t bring himself to do it, the best interests of the country should prevail, and he should be sacked.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
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While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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Gosh, John, you’re in a “firing” mood today!
He must have seen “Up In The Air” during his vacation!
Thanks for your comments, Tony and Frank. I have seen “Up in the Air,” but that has nothing to do with today’s posts. I think I did a post on that movie in December.
Do ya’ll disagree with my conclusions on the firings?
John
I am in agreement for the most part. I feel a little sorry, though, for the poor First Minister who (if what you say is true and he didn’t know about his wife’s shakedown of political donors) probably not only loses his marriage but also (if you fire him) his job. Double whammy.
He’s indeed a pitiable figure. Him or the country? The CEO or the company?
I think the First Minister has an opportunity to salvage his job IF he walks away from his marriage.
Interesting point, Frank. Also, IF he didn’t know anything about the loans.
State-sanctioned divorce — now that’s a new twist!