Lasseter Taking Sabbatical over "Missteps"

[rteetz]

The later part is ok in that he at least admit to doing some specific acts (though sort of minimizes things compared to some of the reports) ... but I still hate how it leads with "that have been very painful to me" - I don't care if it was painful to you - no way it was a fraction of how painful it was to the victims

I see your point. I also see John's though. I think a lot of it has to do with intent. John obviously is a guy who likes to get in your personal space. I have met plenty of people like that. I am not big on hugging and some are. Unless you tell the person to stop the hugging or something like that how do they know you don't like it? When someone weirdly hugs me I just kind go let it happen even if I don't like it because I don't want to be rude. I am not saying this is remotely close to more severe sexual misconduct issues but I think people need to speak up more in some of these situations and then maybe the person at fault would get the message before it happens to more people.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I guess I am just different but I feel this paragraph here takes some responsibility and admitting of wrongdoing.

I’ve recently had a number of difficult conversations that have been very painful for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them. As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be. It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologize if I have let you down. I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.

That's downplaying the awful conduct and still making it about him "painful conversations to ME"...who cares if it was painful to him? - he's lucky those conversations only involved words, since the ones he had with women obviously went way further...

 

[rteetz]

That's downplaying the awful conduct and still making it about him "painful conversations to ME"...who cares if it was painful to him? - he's lucky those conversations only involved words, since the ones he had with women obviously went way further...

I said it takes some responsibility. Obviously some pieces of his letter aren't great but like I said before this letter seems to be more admitting than others that have happened. We will just have to agree to disagree as well.

 

[Capang]

I see your point. I also see John's though. I think a lot of it has to do with intent. John obviously is a guy who likes to get in your personal space. I have met plenty of people like that. I am not big on hugging and some are. Unless you tell the person to stop the hugging or something like that how do they know you don't like it? When someone weirdly hugs me I just kind go let it happen even if I don't like it because I don't want to be rude. I am not saying this is remotely close to more severe sexual misconduct issues but I think people need to speak up more in some of these situations and then maybe the person at fault would get the message before it happens to more people.

I agree with the need to speak up however what do you do if you work for a boss who retaliated for saying no? Especially in that particular field if you love your job I can see women choosing to shut up about it when others in power are continuing to allow it to happen

 

[rteetz]

I agree with the need to speak up however what do you do if you work for a boss who retaliated for saying no? Especially in that particular field if you love your job I can see women choosing to shut up about it when others in power are continuing to allow it to happen

I agree. This is just part of this issue. If someone genuinely feels unsafe or uncomfortable they should tell someone outside the company first. Maybe a friend or family member who can give them some guidance and then maybe go to authorities if its a serious matter. Its definitely hard when its a boss type. I am much younger than everyone here for the most part and I know I don't always say what I think or feel to individuals of power.

 

[rteetz]

Adding to how I think this will hurt Disney as a company Pixar's Coco is released today in the US. If people say boycott or don't see this movie because of this, I feel for Lee Unkrich and those who worked on the film which has gotten incredible reviews so far.

 

[rteetz]

If this is true. Disney as a company will take a huge hit.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-r...-absence-pixar-following-missteps-154881.html

 

[MissGina5]

ok guys my point is that I am SURE there is female who has vision and creativity. They aren't mutually exclusive and there is a clear deficit of female presences in these positions so I think not for a PR reason but just good sense in general they should make the next head female. I won't be MAD if they don't, but it is what they SHOULD do, if you ask me.

 

[robinb]

similar accusation https://www.disboards.com/threads/yee-ha-bob-jackson-accusations.3646726/

The accusations are not at all similar. The accusations against Lasseter are very serious and are made by multiple people. For goodness sakes! The story mentions that women would sit with their arms on their legs in a pose called “the Lasseter” so he wouldn't put his hands on their legs and let them wander up their skirts!

 

[Capang]

ok guys my point is that I am SURE there is female who has vision and creativity. They aren't mutually exclusive and there is a clear deficit of female presences in these positions so I think not for a PR reason but just good sense in general they should make the next head female. I won't be MAD if they don't, but it is what they SHOULD do, if you ask me.

But hiring a female just because she is female doesn't make it right. The best person for the job, be it male or female, should get it. I just hope they are more creative than business minded.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The accusations are not at all similar. The accusations against Lasseter are very serious and are made by multiple people. For goodness sakes! The story mentions that women would sit with their arms on their legs in a pose called “the Lasseter” so he wouldn't put his hands on their legs and let them wander up their skirts!

It seems more similar to the misconduct complaints against Charlie Rose - I hadn't quite finished processing that one before seeing this...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

ok guys my point is that I am SURE there is female who has vision and creativity. They aren't mutually exclusive and there is a clear deficit of female presences in these positions so I think not for a PR reason but just good sense in general they should make the next head female. I won't be MAD if they don't, but it is what they SHOULD do, if you ask me.

Certainly aren't mutually exclusive but I think if you higher a female because she is female that sends a bed message too.

I was just interviewing a female leader at my company and she said she hates things like "womens networks" and the like as she feels it minimizes her accomplishments and that people think she got the role she got just because she is a woman and not on merit

They certainly should be open to it and look broadly for the right person

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The accusations are not at all similar. The accusations against Lasseter are very serious and are made by multiple people. For goodness sakes! The story mentions that women would sit with their arms on their legs in a pose called “the Lasseter” so he wouldn't put his hands on their legs and let them wander up their skirts!

It's still a sexual misconduct/harassment complaints. Obviously very different levels and also different as lasseter was in a leadership position

Just more fuel to use if arguing their was a culture that allowed this type of thing - of all types and levels - to happen

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If this is true. Disney as a company will take a huge hit.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-r...-absence-pixar-following-missteps-154881.html

If hat is true that Disney paid off people in the past from similar complaints against him then there is no way Iger didn't know

 

[rteetz]

If hat is true that Disney paid off people in the past from similar complaints against him then there is no way Iger didn't know

And Ed Catmull. If true this is bad for the entire company.

However Disney is almost known for paying off complaints. Look at the YeeHaw Bob accusations or even a guest complaint in a park. They give a guest a FP to "pay off" their complaints.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wow. Lots of bad news in this story. SMH.

Also lots of assumptions in it with many people making comments about the situation when they have no knowledge of what actually happened. Not saying that he did (or didn't) do improper things. Whatever happened, its up to him to change and make it right.

 

[umichigan10]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/n...uct-detailed-by-disney-pixar-insiders-1059594

This details what he did. His "apology" bites, IMO.

Sounds like he has a lot of issues. Not only misconduct but also a possible alcohol issue as well

 

[umichigan10]

Not everything is an "open secret". This knee-jerk cynicism that everyone knew and tried to hide it is based on nothingness.

I can attest to this on a smaller scale. I was the GM at my local colleges radio station last year. I learned in late April that one of my “employees” for lack of better word, was harassing another throughout the year. I didn’t know anything about it and only after my friend who also worked there let me know did I have any knowledge of it. My point is sometimes people are afraid to bring things up because they’re afraid they might somehow be punished. Zero idea if that’s the case here, but I’m sure the incident I dealt with happens in other places

 

[lmsull65]

I just read an article that says he did more than hugging, of course. He grabbed and kissed, plus made comments about physical attributes. Calling this a misstep is insulting and infuriating. The fact that people are giving him kudos for an apology where he doesn't even admit what he has done. This sexual abuse of women and children is constantly covered up. Catholic priests, football coaches, and a president that defends serial abusers and call them not "hot" enough. Let's not forget a rapist getting off because he has suffered enough is out culture. i can't tell you how many times i have heard that the victim was asking for it. This is a plague in our culture that we can't give someone a pat on the back because "he at least apologized"!!!!!

 

[ShadeDK]

I thought it was curious that he went the unusual route of "sabbatical" - but then again when you're the head of the biggest animation powerhouse serving up family entertainment you can't exactly take the usual route of admitting a problem and announcing you're going to rehab for sex addiction and hope to come back afterwards. Which is exactly what this sounds like - disappear for 6 months, hope it blows over and quietly come back to work. Doesn't seem it'll be that easy.

As for Iger - he's not going anywhere unless Disney stock suffers a substantial hit. Which it could with enough bad publicity or boycotts or protests. Companies aren't in the habit of replacing senior management (which itself causes a hit to shareholder confidence and uncertainty in the future of the company) unless forced - and that's almost always financial based - even when toxic culture is cited as a reason, it's often a pretext for bad market performance.