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'It's just disgusting': Ted Baker alleged forced hugs causes outrage

Reuters
Reuters

Staff at Ted Baker have called for an end to the “forced hugging” that they claim is endorsed by the company’s founder and chief executive, Ray Kelvin, 62, arguing that it fosters a workplace culture in which sexual harassment goes unchallenged.

An online petition to “scrap” the unusual practice also accuses Kelvin of making “sexual innuendos at staff” and “stroking people’s necks” and has garnered more than 2,300 signatures.

The fashion chain has denied allegations of such misconduct in a statement, which says that “hugs have become part of Ted Baker’s culture, but are absolutely not insisted upon”.

The company added that it will be conducting a “thorough investigation” into the claims.

People have reacted with mixed views to news of the founder’s alleged behaviour; while a handful have expressed support for him, the majority have been quick to rebuke him.

“The world needs more people like this who embrace fellow humans with such love,” wrote on person on Twitter. “People should learn from this. Good on #raykelvin and @ted_baker. What a great way for a person to express themselves. He should be a burning man with that spirit”.

Another person poked fun at the claims, tweeting: “I was hugged once. I have yet to recover from the trauma.”

But most users disagreed that the allegations should be taken lightly, with one writing, “No employee should feel obliged to be hugged or touched in any way. With older men in a position of power - it’s just disgusting.”

Another argued that Kelvin’s actions weren’t about hugs at all, “it’s about power,” they wrote.

The petition states that Kelvin tries to massage his staff’s ears, prompting one person to tease: “Is Ted Baker a Ferengi?”, in reference to the fictional race of characters in Star Trek TV series that are known for being misogynists.

Some people expressed sympathy for people working at the fashion chain, amid claims that allegations of harassment were swept under the rug with HR staff telling concerned staff “that’s just what Ray’s like”.

“Sympathy and solidarity with Ted Baker staff who are right to protest this kind of contact,” wrote one person, “as the petition makes clear, it’s not just about a hug as greeting but neck-stroking, asking staff to sit on his knee. Not acceptable for the company to say hugs are ‘part of TB culture’.”

Others called for a boycott altogether, with one person tweeting in response to the news: “Remind me to avoid Ted Baker in the future.”

Kelvin opened his first Ted Baker, named after a fictitious alter ego, in 1988, and is one of Britain’s most successful retail tycoons.

The firm now has 544 fashion outlets worldwide and Kelvin is is worth £522m, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.