Usually sexual harassment settlements come with a confidentiality clause. That must not be the case with Jodie Fisher who had an undisclosed relationship with former Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) CEO Mark Hurd. The relationship and how it was resolved caused the HP board to push Hurd out.
Somehow it has leaked that Fisher says she lost work at HP because she would not have sex with Hurd. Hurd has routinely denied this, but the statement adds a new and salacious turn to the widely publicized story. Now that Fisher has her settlement, it is hard to see what she gains by any further talk about Hurd’s advances.
According to the AP, a person with knowledge of the Hurd-Fisher relationship says that “Her work dwindled in the second year because HP’s marketing budget was cut and had nothing to do with her relationship with the CEO. Hurd’s allies say he settled the case to avoid expensive and potentially embarrassing litigation.
Other reports say that Hurd has told his confidants that he has been offered several positions and is exploring options for his next job. These have come from private equity firms and public companies
The leak about Fisher’s accusations is not telling anyone what most people already suspect. Hurd did something he should not have done, perhaps harassment. It seems it has not hurt his job prospects.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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