It’s been only a month since American Apparel fired its longtime CEO, Dov Charney, and instated a new (female!) executive, Paula Schneider, in his place. Given Charney’s creepy rep and the brand’s controversial image, there’s no question Schneider has her work cut out for her.
Already, it seems the company has begun the gradual process of cleaning up the mess that Charney left behind. First up? Sexual harassment — an appropriate place to start, considering the fact that Charney has been hit with multiple sexual harassment suits.
WWD reports that a new 6,200-word ethics code has been posted on the company website; at 12 pages, it’s four times longer than the code that existed during Charney’s era. It details everything from a “fair treatment” policy (banning discrimination based on race, gender, or sexual orientation), as well as intra-office regulations. Romantic relationships are prohibited between employees, including casual dating. As the code states, “no management-level employee may make sexual advances, welcome or unwelcome, toward any subordinate.”
Here’s hoping this revamped ethics code is the first effective step to getting the brand back on track. As for whether it will translate to the ad campaigns as well, we’ll just have to wait and see. (WWD)