The recent dismissal of Laurent Freixe, the chief executive of Nestlé, highlights a troubling trend among corporate leaders who have faced termination due to office romances. Freixe’s departure this week followed an investigation that confirmed he had engaged in an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate. This incident adds to a growing list of executives whose personal relationships have led to significant professional consequences.
Freixe is not alone in this predicament. In July, Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer, was ousted after being caught on a stadium “kiss cam” with the company’s chief people officer during a Coldplay concert. Just a month prior, Ashley Buchanan, the CEO of Kohl’s, left his position after it was determined that he had directed millions of dollars to a vendor with whom he had an undisclosed romantic relationship.
The behavior of chief executives in such situations raises pressing questions about corporate governance and accountability. Kabrina Chang, a business ethics and law instructor at Boston University, expressed her disbelief, stating, “It confounds me that in 2025 they think they can get away with this. I always wonder if they feel untouchable on some level.”
The impact of the #MeToo movement has intensified scrutiny on corporate boards, compelling them to rigorously investigate any allegations of inappropriate conduct. Even consensual relationships can lead to complications, particularly when a manager dates a subordinate. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), more than two-thirds of HR professionals rank the perception of favoritism as their top concern regarding workplace romances.
While it is unrealistic to eliminate office relationships entirely—many employees meet their future partners at work—companies bear the responsibility of ensuring their workplaces remain safe and equitable. When a chief executive is involved, the risks increase dramatically, noted Andy Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
The perception of workplace dating has shifted, with employees becoming more vigilant about boundaries. Roxanne Bras Petraeus, head of Ethena, a workplace compliance-training platform, observed a rise in inquiries about workplace romances. “Office dating isn’t suddenly more common. What’s new is employees are asking sharper questions about boundaries,” she explained.
Policies governing workplace relationships vary significantly among companies. A separate SHRM survey revealed that only about one-third of workers are required to disclose such relationships to their employers. In the case of Nestlé, the relationship that led to Freixe’s termination was initially flagged through the company’s internal reporting system known as “speak up.” After an initial investigation did not substantiate the claim, further concerns prompted a more in-depth inquiry with external legal counsel.
This trend of dismissals due to office romances not only highlights the personal choices of individual executives but also raises broader questions about corporate culture, ethics, and the mechanisms in place to handle such issues. As companies strive to maintain professional integrity, they must also navigate the complex dynamics of human relationships within the workplace.
