When the world’s largest food company removes its CEO overnight, people notice. Nestlé just pushed out CEO Laurent Freixe for hiding a romantic relationship with a subordinate. The press will call it a “corporate shake-up.” Shareholders worry about stock prices. But I, Attorney William Phillips, see a story I’ve seen a hundred times before in my own practice.
It usually starts like this: A man with power. A woman without it. A relationship built on secrecy, fear, and leverage.
At Phillips & Associates, PLLC, we frequently represent clients in cases that involve serious power imbalances leading to sexual harassment and hostile work environments. Such situations are not simply “personal issues” between two coworkers; they are examples of unlawful workplace conduct.
For instance, we handled a case where a law firm partner claimed to have a “relationship” with his paralegal. When the partner’s wife discovered it, the paralegal was suddenly told she no longer had a job. In another case, a server in the hospitality industry called out sick, and her manager demanded explicit photos in exchange for “looking the other way.” Both examples highlight how people in positions of authority can misuse their power, creating conditions that violate employment laws and give rise to valid legal claims.
Different companies. Different industries. But the two cases we handled and the Nestlé case all have the same pattern of men in a position of power using their position to groom, pressure, and sexually harass people who work beneath them.
What makes Nestlé’s case stand out, though, is how it came to light. Not because the CEO did the right thing, but because employees used an internal hotline to report the suspected and potentially problematic relationship. The board shrugged it off at first. Only after a second investigation proved the truth did they act.
That’s the reality most workers live with: no board of directors and no external investigators when something seems wrong. Instead, they just have an impossible choice to stay quiet and keep their job, or speak up and risk losing everything.
And that’s why the “romance” defense never holds water. When your boss controls your paycheck, promotions, and future, there’s no such thing as an equal relationship. And when it blows up, it’s almost always the subordinate who takes the fall.
In a statement to the public, Nestlé’s board called this a matter of “values and governance.” I’d call it what it really is: trust. Without trust, workplaces collapse, whether it’s a Fortune 100 boardroom or a neighborhood restaurant.
I’ve built my career fighting for the people stuck in these no-win situations, and I’d say that the lesson is simple: companies that act only when cornered by the truth always pay a higher price. And every employee should know that if this has happened to you, you’re not alone.
Call today for a free consultation at (866) 229-9441, or send us an email by using an online contact form.
Choose Phillips & Associates, PLLC for Your Workplace Sexual Harassment Case
At Phillips & Associates, PLLC, we’re proud to be one of the most trusted and experienced law firms representing victims of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination in New York, New Jersey, and beyond. If you faced sexual discrimination or were placed into an uncomfortable situation by a supervisor, boss, or executive at work, then you could have the grounds to file a sexual harassment claim with our help. Thanks to our many accomplishments and accolades, we think you’ll see right away that we’re the right choice for your case.
People in all industries and roles trust our employment law attorneys because:
- We have recovered more than $300 millionfor victims of sexual harassment, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.
- In the first seven months of 2025, we recovered more than $27 million for our clients, which marks our best year ever for victim recoveries.
- We routinely handle high-value settlements,including cases resolving for $1 million to $5 million and above.
- We have represented more than 4,000 clients since 2011.
- We have litigated nearly 2,000 cases, which is more than double the volume of many competing law offices.
- We have 11 attorneys who have been recognized by Super Lawyers®, which ismore than any other sexual harassment and discrimination law firm in New York or New Jersey.
- We have more than 600 verified five-star reviews, which isamong the most of any employment law firm in the region.
- We have offices in NYC, Long Island, NJ, PA, and FL, so finding one near you is simple and convenient.
Workers across the nation trust their employment law and sexual harassment cases to us. You should, too. Please reach out now by calling (866) 229-9441 and telling us what happened.