Moët Hennessy faces allegations of toxic workplace culture and misconduct at Paris headquarters

Moët Hennessy, the drinks division of luxury conglomerate LVMH, is facing serious allegations of workplace misconduct and a toxic culture at its Paris headquarters. The controversy began after Maria Gasparovic, a former chief of staff to the company’s global head of distribution, Jean-Marc Lacave, was dismissed in June 2024. Gasparovic had reported claims of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and unfair dismissal to her managers and the human resources department four months prior to her termination.

Following her dismissal, at least a dozen individuals connected to Moët Hennessy have come forward to denounce what they describe as an environment that enabled bullying and mismanagement. Reports indicate that a “boys’ club mentality” was prevalent within the company, with gossip and rumors being common. According to information published by the Financial Times on July 10, at least 20 employees at the Paris headquarters went on long-term sick leave in 2024. Some executives reportedly remarked during leadership meetings that they had never seen such high numbers of absences before.

The situation escalated when it was revealed that at least one executive had initiated an investigation into the private life of an employee. Several staff members complained of stress and bullying, with many subsequently leaving the business. The FT also reported that at least four other female employees had reported bullying and harassment before departing Moët Hennessy. Three of these women took their complaints to an employment tribunal, where their cases were later settled. Male employees have also filed complaints with the tribunal.

Gasparovic is now seeking €1.3 million (about $1.52 million) in damages and compensation through a Paris employment tribunal. She alleges that her superiors told her she needed “anti-seduction” training for a promotion and claims executives made inappropriate remarks about her. Her partner, Mark Stead, who was formerly Chief Operating Officer at Moët Hennessy and accompanied her to HR meetings, was also dismissed shortly after Gasparovic’s firing. The company cited misuse of travel and expenses resources as the reason for his termination and alleged he breached a non-disclosure agreement.

Gasparovic reported her allegations along with another whistleblower to Moët Hennessy’s corporate HR director in February 2024. She claims her boss threatened to build a case for her dismissal if she did not comply with certain demands, including taking an anti-seduction course. Moët Hennessy has declined to comment on the allegations but has filed a defamation lawsuit against Gasparovic after she posted about her experiences on social media. Her LinkedIn profile has since been deleted. A court case is expected this autumn.

In Gasparovic’s dismissal letter, Moët Hennessy stated she was fired due to personal conduct, alleging she made threatening remarks to colleagues. However, former employees described a hostile work environment where managers would “scream at people,” leading to widespread sick leave and sudden departures.

In September 2024, then-chief executive Philippe Schaus and head of HR Paula Fallowfield sent a note to staff addressing concerns about employee departures and public allegations on social media. They assured employees that each case had been handled thoughtfully and fairly while emphasizing the company’s commitment to confidentiality and its values.

Despite these assurances, several top executives left Moët Hennessy in the months following Gasparovic’s public statements. Schaus himself departed LVMH along with other senior leaders, including global head of HR Chantal Gaemperle. Jean-Marc Lacave also left his position at the start of this year.

Avi Bitton, a Paris-based employment lawyer who has represented several Moët Hennessy workers, told the Financial Times he is contacted monthly by LVMH managers making acrimonious exits from the group. He said several of these individuals worked for the wine and spirits division.

Gasparovic has also accused Moët Hennessy of continuing to ship products via intermediaries to Russia after LVMH announced in March 2022 it would suspend operations there.

These revelations come as LVMH announced plans in May this year to cut about 1,200 jobs—roughly 12 percent—at Moët Hennessy following declining Cognac and Champagne sales in China and the United States. The job cuts were communicated internally amid growing concern over workplace conditions and management practices at the company’s Paris headquarters.

Moët Hennessy has not issued further public statements regarding these ongoing legal disputes or internal investigations. The outcome of Gasparovic’s legal action is expected later this year as scrutiny over workplace culture within one of the world’s largest luxury drinks companies continues to intensify.