 "A LVMH luxury group logo is seen prior to the announcement of their 2019 results in Paris, France, January 28, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/ File Photo")
A whistleblower’s case has brought the alleged toxic culture at LVMH to fore, the luxury giant that owns brands like Louis Vuitton and sells luxury wines and spirits under Moët Henness division.
A woman employee, Maria Gasparovic, has alleged sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and unfair dismissal in a case against the company. She has alleged that she was fired after she complained of sexual misconduct. She was the chief of staff of Jean-Marc Lacave, the Moët Henness’ global head of distribution.
While the company has sued Gasparovic for defamation, Financial Times has reported that Gasparovic was not the only person who complained of a toxic work culture at Moët Hennes. Several employees, including men, have made such complaints and have left the company in recent years.
Gasparovic has alleged in her lawsuit that that she was the subject of “unfounded and sexist rumours” and “acts of denigration” within the company and that then-CEO Philippe Schaus had ordered human resources (HR) chief to conduct an investigation into her private life because they suspected she was having an affair with a second executive, according to FT.
Accounts of toxic work culture at Moët Hennes
The FT has reported that Gasparovic’s departure —four months after she alerted her managers and HR about the alleged misconduct— was one of a series of departures from Moët Hennessy that a dozen people familiar with the business told the newspaper was related to a toxic workplace environment rife with bullying and mismanagement.
No internal investigation was opened based on Gasparovic’s complaint, according to FT.
Instead, not just Gasparovic but her partner, Mark Stead, who was the chief operating officer, was fired as well. He is also suing the company separately.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOn one occasion, Gasparovic has alleged that her boss, Lacave, told her that she would need “anti-seduction” coaching if she wanted a promotion. Lacave further said that a client had described her as “gagging for it”.
The FT reported that Gasparovic is one of several women at Moët Hennessy who said they had been the subject of unfounded rumours about affairs with men at the company.
The newspaper reported that the workplace situation was such that as many as 20 staffers at the headquarters went on long-term leave last year and many complained of stress and bullying, with many subsequently leaving the business.
Sources also described the company as a “boys club” where gossip and rumours were rife. One former staffer said their boss would “scream at people like it was a fashion house in the 1990s, except we are in 2025 — that behaviour is no longer acceptable. Lots of people were going on sick leave, people were disappearing overnight. It took on disruptive proportions”.
Other than Gasparovic, the newspaper reported that at least four other women at Moët Hennessy reported bullying and harassment before leaving the organisation. Like Gasparovic, they also sued the company.