Tom Luetkemeyer Discusses the Firing of McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook

Hinshaw attorney Tom Luetkemeyer was quoted by The Chicago Tribune in a story about the firing of McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook. The company fired Easterbrook after its board determined a consensual relationship the CEO had with an employee violated company policy.

"When you're the CEO and you are the embodiment of all company policy, it ties the hands of the board," said Luetkemeyer. "If a pass is given to an individual at the very top of the organization, how do you enforce [the policy] against anybody else?"

Luetkemeyer added that while consensual relationships at work do not violate any federal, state, county or municipal laws, the potential for litigation has made workplace romance part of a growing number of employee handbooks, and in some cases, a cause for termination.

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"McDonald's CEO ouster puts spotlight on company dating policies" was published by The Chicago Tribune, November 4, 2019.