Business Report writes that Grant Thornton Johannesburg CEO Paul Badrick has voluntarily stepped aside pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him.  

His decision is with immediate effect and Serena Ho, chair of the accounting and advisory organisation’s governing board, will take an active role with the executive committee in the management of the firm and its communications.  This comes after sexual harassment allegations against Badrick came to light during an investigation by Grant Thornton International Limited (GTIL), which followed a former director’s claims of sexual harassment against a former head of forensics earlier this year.  The claims against Badrick were made during 2015, but no formal complaints were made until the GTIL investigation, which was just concluded.  According to the firm, these are new allegations which have yet to be investigated.  Earlier this year, the firm apologised “unreservedly” to two former employees who were sexually harassed by its former head of forensics.  The accused has since left the firm.  Notably, the GTIL investigation was one of three independent investigations that were undertaken.  A detailed report for the Commission for Gender Equality is being prepared in response to its request for information.

• Read this report in full at Business Report
• Read too, Grant Thornton CEO steps aside pending outcome of sexual harassment probe, at Timeslive

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