John Galliano, fashion designer extraordinaire, has been sacked by Parisian fashion giant Dior after video footage emerged in which he declared his love for Hitler.
Galliano is also filmed saying “people like you would be dead today - your mothers, your forefathers would be gassed.”
The British designer was already suspended from his role as Dior creative director, which he has held since 1997, after he was arrested on Friday 25th February for anti-Semitic remarks he made to a Jewish women in the La Perle bar in Le Marais in Paris.
However, the label, which is owned by luxury group LVMH, had no choice but to sack Galliano after the video footage filmed by two women in December 2010 was broadcast on French television.
Dior CEO Sidney Toledo, himself a Jew, said: “Because of the particularly odious nature of John Galliano’s behaviour and views, in a video made public on Monday, Christian Dior has decided to lay him off at once and has commenced formal dismissal procedures.”
The designer was also heavily criticised by the Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman, who holds joint American and Israeli citizenship, and is also the face of the Miss Dior Cherie perfume. She issued a statement in the New York Times saying she was “deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments” and added that she “will not be associated with Mr Galliano in any way”.
Dior has initiated dismissal procedures against the 50-year-old designer. Dismissal procedures are important to have in place for any employer, as they can help to protect against future claims of unfair dismissal from sacked employees.
Most dismissal procedures in the UK will follow a similar format to the Acas code of conduct for grievance and disciplinary procedures. The Acas code requires an employer to have a meeting with the employee to discuss the conduct in question, and offers them the chance to appeal the employer’s decision.
However, Galliano’s remarks may be construed by Dior as gross misconduct as they are racist in nature and put the reputation of the brand into jeopardy. If an employee’s conduct is gross misconduct, they can be dismissed without notice, also known as summary dismissal.
Galliano has yet to comment on the situation but his lawyer has told reporters the eccentric designer denies making the anti-Semitic comments or insulting the woman in La Perle.
Employers can get advice on dismissal procedures and how to handle incidents such as these from specialist employment lawyers. Job Justice can put you in touch with one today.
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