The former CEO of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in BC is out of work after a review sparked by his sexist comments during a speech at a tourism conference.
The chairman of the board of directors of the southeastern resort of BC, Steve Giblin, confirmed in a written statement on Tuesday that Vivek Sharma is no longer in charge and the position of CEO is vacant.
“The board of directors will immediately start looking for a new CEO,” Giblin wrote.
“The Fairmont Hot Springs Resort remains committed to being a diverse, inclusive and safe place to work, visit or do business.”
He did not provide any additional information regarding the review of Sharma’s conduct.
Sharma was on leave for the last month after the public outrage at his speeches at the opening of the British Columbia Tourism and Hospitality Conference in Richmond on 9 March.
According to members of the public, Sharma asked the women in the room that day to stand in honor of International Women’s Day, but then, to loud applause, told them to “go clean some rooms and wash the dishes.”
Sharma issued a public apology after the comments came to light, saying he was “deeply” sorry for the “insensitive and inappropriate comments” and then resigned from his positions on the boards of the BC Tourism Industry Association, BC Hotel Association and BC Trade chamber.
The resort later announced that it had hired a third-party consulting firm to review the matter, and Sharma was put on leave while the process went on.
“It’s not right”
Trina Notman, vice president of marketing and communications at Accent Hotels and Hotel Zed, was among the audience at the conference and described the experience as shocking and embarrassing. She said she immediately began urging the conference organizers to take action, and later revealed the incident publicly with widely shared social media posts.
On Tuesday, Notman said she had heard from hundreds of women since speaking.
“I’ve heard so many stories about what women go through in jobs outside of our industry, and it’s not right. It is important for women to feel that they can speak and that their voices will be heard and action will be taken. “Everyone should be able to expect safe and respected jobs,” Notman said.
Her decision to go public also prompted former Sharma officials to make further allegations of inappropriate remarks about his time as general manager of the Grand Hotel and Sun Peaks Convention Center.
Three people working at the Sun Peaks Hotel told the CBC that they were alarmed by Sharma’s comments during a town hall meeting in January 2016, when he was trying to motivate staff after a busy and exhausting holiday season.
“He told us, ‘Well, sometimes they rape you. You just have to lie down, pick it up and enjoy it. ”The whole room, of course, gasped,” recalls former employee Mel Bahula.
Emails shared with the CBC confirm that at least two employees have complained to the hotel management about Sharma’s behavior.
Sharma did not respond to requests for comment on any of his remarks.
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