US retail giant Wal-Mart has filed a counter lawsuit against an employee, alleging that two high-ranking marketing executives were having a sexual relationship while in the process of selecting a new ad agency, had extended the selection process in order to give themselves more time together and had sought jobs with the same agency they recommended.
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Julie Roehm and Sean Womack were fired by Wal-Mart last year. Roehm sued Wal-Mart for unfair dismissal, saying that the company had not provided valid reasons and owed her money. Wal-Mart yesterday (19 March) made a request to file a counterclaim, saying it will seek compensation from Roehm for legal fees and for other damages.
Wal-Mart said that instead of working solely in Wal-Mart’s interest, Roehm had “frequently put her own first”. The retailer added that she “did not merely fail to avoid conflicts, she invited them”. The retailer has supported its allegations with e-mail messages sent by Roehm and Womack, both of whom are married.
Roehm has denied the allegations. She said she had not had negotiations with the Draft FCB ad agency about a possible job. “There was never any discussions about us going to work with them full time,” Roehm was quoted as saying in the New York Times. “I know what e-mails they have, and that’s not at all what they prove.”
Since firing Roehm, Wal-Mart has also terminated its contract with Draft FCB.
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