The gaming publisher Electronic Arts plans to part ways with a high-ranking employee. The Senior Director of EA Ireland, Philipe Grenet, is set to leave. He is accused of making an inappropriate remark towards a female colleague. An injunction is now getting in the way of his dismissal.
Who was fired? Philippe Grenet (56) was dismissed. He is the Senior Director of Global Delivery Service for EA Ireland. In this role, he oversees 420 employees in Galway, Ireland, and 80 staff in Texas, USA. He earned €160,000 a year.
This is reported by Ireland’s largest daily newspaper, Irish Independent, on its online site in the section about current court cases.
Controversy over the wording “dick measuring contest”
What was he accused of? Grenet is alleged to have told a colleague in Texas: He would not, “pull out his dick and put it on the table to see who has the bigger one.”
Grenet denies having used these words. However, he admits that he told a colleague in a “one-on-one” video call: “I do not want to compare the length of my dick.”
Grenet believes the colleague wants him out
This is what Grenet says: Grenet now admits that the remark was inelegant, clumsy, and not a good idea. He wanted to express that he did not want to challenge the other person in a work-related matter.
Grenet further states that the person in question, Tracy Simmons, has often behaved negatively towards him and has undermined his authority as her superior. Her statement now is marked by malicious intent.
The decision by Electronic Arts was a mistake and unfair because the incident was not properly investigated.
Grenet fears that the accusations will negatively affect his career and professional future. He has a long career in the gaming industry and has always behaved honestly and decently.
This is what Grenet’s lawyer says: Grenet’s lawyer argues that English is not his first language. Grenet is married and has a young son. He moved from France to Ireland in 2018.
The accusations have been taken out of context by someone who wants to remove Grenet. The investigation of the incident by EA was chaotic and biased.
Court prevents termination
This is the timeline: The incident in the video call is said to have occurred on November 9. Shortly after, Grenet was informed in a brief meeting that he was suspended. Grenet was then fired on November 14, just a few days after the complaint.
This is what has happened: The High Court of Ireland, the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court of the Republic, issued an injunction on Thursday, December 6, that Grenet cannot be fired. He may not be dismissed or transferred until further notice.
The court will reconvene next week.
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