Former Phoenix Suns Employee Slams Organization Over Toxic Culture
ESPN first broke a story on former Phoenix Suns employee Melissa Fender Panagiotakopoulos resigning after 15 years of working for the team, citing she was the subject of "bullying and retaliation by superiors after raising gender-equity concerns and misconduct within the organization."
This adds yet another layer to Phoenix's current investigation into owner Robert Sarver's creation of a workplace that featured racism and sexism among other concerns.
Those initial reports, also filed by ESPN, came in November. Over 300 Suns employees were interviewed in the process, which is now nearly complete according to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Former Phoenix Suns Employee Slams Organization Over Toxic Culture
Below are some of the concerns Panagiotakopoulos raised in her resignation email in May, which was reportedly forwarded to 16 members of the organization including Sarver himself. She declined to comment on the story, according to ESPN.
- Panagiotakopoulos alleged that there were "inherent conflicts of interest with managers' ability to receive commissions, cherry pick deals, revise suite lease terms to line their own pockets, and operate in a different manner than the rest of the sales organization with no true consistent systems or oversight."
- Panagiotakopoulos also alleged inequities and gender discrimination, writing, "Is it a coincidence that I have been the only mother in the entire sales organization for the last 15 years? Is it because certain males were being paid more in equivalent roles?"
- She alleged issues tied to the human resources department and their "ability to stay relevant and exert influence over C-suites - the lack of follow-up, ability to resolve conflict or true concern for employee well being."
- In her email, Panagiotakopoulos said the Phoenix Suns' organization has "never been more dysfunctional, and the culture is rapidly eroding."
- "Over many years, it has become clear to me that the Suns organization does not place the same value on developing women in its workforce, or even on ensuring they are treated equally as compared to their male counterparts," after claiming that a male colleague with similar tenure (but less responsibility) was paid at a better rate and permitted to work from home.
- "As a working mother, when I requested the same flexibility, I was denied," Panagiotakopoulos said in the email obtained by ESPN. "I have observed these kinds of inequities throughout the Suns organization, and I have personally experienced the kind of gender-based misconduct described in recent media reports. And when I attempted to share my concerns with HR and leadership (including individuals at the highest level), I was dismissed - and once was even told to 'take a cold shower.'"
"My job has grown more intolerable and toxic than ever," said Panagiotakopoulos.
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