September 3, 2025
Bloomberg recently published an article featuring Kabrina Chang, Clinical Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law, discussing Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe’s dismissal over an undisclosed relationship with a subordinate.
He joins a growing list of executives losing their jobs over office romances, from Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, caught on a stadium “kiss cam,” to former Kohl’s CEO Ashley Buchanan, who steered business to a romantic partner.
“It confounds me that in 2025 they think they can get away with this. I always wonder if they feel untouchable on some level? Like, I won’t get caught, or the rules don’t apply to me?,” Chang adds.
In the post-#MeToo era, boards face greater pressure to act, as even consensual relationships raise concerns about favoritism and fairness. While workplace romances are common, only a third of companies require disclosure. Recent dismissals at BP, McDonald’s, and Intel underscore how lapses in transparency can erode trust and cost shareholders hundreds of millions.
