- Steve Easterbrook, the McDonald's CEO who was fired Sunday over an office romance with a suboridnate staffer, has an honorary academic position as a corporate reputation expert.
- Steve Easterbrook is a visiting fellow at Oxford University's Centre for Corporate Reputation, which draws on the "expertise and guidance" of global CEOs.
- McDonald's said Steve Easterbrook "violated company policy and demonstrated poor judgment involving a recent consensual relationship with an employee."
- His departure prompted a slump in McDonald's share price which is likely to reduce its value by several billion dollars.
- Easterbrook is also a director at Catalyst, a non-profit advocacy group striving for "workplaces that work for women."
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The CEO of McDonald's, who was fired over a relationship with a subordinate female staffer, has an honorary position at Oxford University's specialist centre for corporate reputation.
McDonald's dismissed Steve Easterbrook on Sunday because he "violated company policy and demonstrated poor judgment involving a recent consensual relationship with an employee."
Easterbrook is listed as a visiting fellow at The Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation, a research department which draws on the "expertise and guidance" of global CEOs.
The position is now very close to home, as Easterbrook's departure sparked a damaging news cycle for McDonald's. Premarket trading Monday morning suggests that a slump in the company's share price prompted by the news could wipe billions off its value.
Easterbrook is also a director at Catalyst, a non-profit advocacy group striving for "workplaces that work for women." He also sits on the board of Walmart.
Business Insider contacted the Centre for Corporate Reputation, Catalyst, and Walmart for comment on Easterbrook's departure from McDonald's, but has yet to receive a response.
Easterbrook, who became CEO in March 2015, is credited with enhancing McDonald's reputation beyond that of an outlet which only serves unhealthy food.
In July 2019 McDonald's and Easterbrook were compromised by a report from the Independent news website which said at least 1,000 female workers reported being sexually harassed or abused by predatory employees, who were simply "moved to different stores rather than being sacked."
Easterbrook addressed his departure and the relationship in an email to McDonald's employees on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
"This was a mistake. Given the values of the company, I agree with the board that it is time for me to move on," he said.
Chris Kempczinski, who was serving as McDonald's president, is succeeding Easterbrook as CEO.
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