Will dog-abusing CEO sink Centerplate?

[KurtNYC]

It could if they just circle the wagons around him...

So what will this scandal mean for Centerplate’s business? If it doesn’t want to be perceived as just paying lip service, then it needs to take action regarding Hague, says crisis management expert Steve Paskoff, CEO of ELI, which does corporate sensitivity training. “My immediate reaction to this news was, this is a guy who will kick and drag a friend’s dog—what else is there to say about him? And if he treats defenseless dogs this way, how is he treating people?” said Paskoff. “Is Centerplate going to be comfortable saying he represents our values, which state (on its website) that the company is ‘a positive force in our communities?'”

For now, there are no legal charges against Hague, and the company has commented, “This is a personal matter involving Des Hague. Centerplate does not condone the mistreatment of animals, and since learning about the situation late Friday night, have reached out to local authorities to better understand the facts and circumstances related to the incident. As this is an ongoing review, we cannot comment further at this time.” But Paskoff says that, short of firing Hague, Centerplate needs to do something beyond a mere press release. “If you leave it alone, and don’t do anything, that says you find it acceptable. So the first thing is, let’s do a thorough investigation. While we’re doing a thorough investigation, you put him on some type of suspension. You do this as fairly, rapidly, and efficiently as you can,” he says. “I think for many, many people, when you harm an animal for no reason, that is a low offense. It says something really serious about your character, and character matters when you lead an organization.”
...
UPDATE, August 27, 2014: Centerplate’s CEO Des Hague has been placed on probation, will donate $100,000 to a dog charity, and will do 1,000 hours of community service. Centerplate released a new statement, its third this week on this incident: “Upon internal review of the incident, and recognizing that Mr. Hague is truly ashamed of his actions and has expressed sincere remorse and shame for erratic behavior that is uncharacteristic of him we have decided to take the following immediate actions: Mr. Hague will be given a written censure by the Board whereby he will be placed on indefinite probation stating that any further acts of misconduct would result in immediate termination. As a condition of his continued employment with Centerplate, Mr. Hague will personally donate $100,000.00 USD which will be donated towards the establishment of the Sade Foundation in honor of the dog he mistreated in the elevator to help support the protection and safety of animals in the city of Vancouver where the incident occurred. Further, we are requiring Mr. Hague to serve 1000 hours of community service in support of an organization that serves to protect the welfare and safety of animals… Mr. Hague still faces potential charges in Vancouver, where he is personally responsible for charges and fines in relation to the incident.”

http://fortune.com/2014/08/25/dog-abuse-video-stadium-food-centerplate-des-hague/

"Community service" with more dogs ?!!! WTF! Is THAT hard to find another CEO? If "corporations are people" why does Centerplate want to be Des Hague? Btw the $100,000 is going to a "dog charity" that Centerplate just created, not one of the many on-going independent ones.

Boycott forming here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Centerplate-Catering/716804188373478

[In_The_Wind]

1. IMO: The dog abusing Des Hague should be moping floors for a living.

[MissDeeds]

2. His fine is a slap on the wrist

What happened to laws against animal cruelty? This lowlife should do time behind bars.

[KurtNYC]

7. the PR "fine" is from Centerpoint, not any law enforcement entity

it is up to Vancouver on any real charges, no movement so far

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I call BS on "erratic behavior that is uncharacteristic". I'd be willing to bet that for someone

who abuses an animal the way this man did, you will find that behavior to be very characteristic for them. I would expect that a certain level of cruelty is natural for this man and may extend further than cruelty to animals.

[KurtNYC]

8. yes. That Hague waited and did this in an elevator goes against the idea

that he was just temporarily out of control, "erratic" one time.

Hague just thought he was out of view so it seems like he can turn this behavior off and on like a faucet. The dog does nothing in the elevator except cower so Hague was still stewing about something from earlier it would seem.

[exboyfil]

4. He has already violated the agreement by lying

about the ownership of the dog.

[KurtNYC]

9. who owned the dog? (missed that)

[KurtNYC]

10. found it - he did

also this is on target:

Hague also said in his statement: “a minor frustration with a friend’s pet caused me to lose control of my emotional response.” To be clear, there was nothing “minor” about what Hague did. The fact that a prosecutor is reviewing the incident for potential criminal charges makes it anything but “minor.” Further, if that is what Hague does when his frustration level is “minor,” what does he do when an animal really makes him mad?
...
In response to Hague’s actions, Centerplate handed him a written censure, forced him to donate $100,000 to create the Sade Foundation, which will help protect animals in Vancouver, and said he will work 1,000 hours at an animal protection agency. That may sound like a stiff fine, but Hague earns millions a year. It may sound like a lot of community service, but surely Hague won’t be cleaning kennels. And, what animal protection agency would want a guy like Hague around their dogs? What if he experiences another “minor” frustration?

http://www.si.com/more-sports/2014/08/28/des-hague-dog-abuse-centerplate-scandal-levis-stadium

[lapislzi]

5. I hope so.

That company is nothing but a racket: bad concession food at astronomical prices. I disliked them before; now I have the best of reasons to pack my own lunch when attending a trade fair, which I do several times a year. I forwarded this piece to the entire sales force of my company. Centerplate will no longer be getting one dime from us.

[NaturalHigh]

6. "It says something really serious about your character"...

That's an understatement. People who abuse animals are lower than dirt.

[KurtNYC]

11. Congrats to the 180,000 who joined this boycott -- Des Hague was fired today.

http://deadspin.com/dog-kicking-centerplate-ceo-removed-from-job-1629486297

The next step may be for him to receive criminal charges (and that may explain the timing, or it may have been publicity at sports venues over the weekend). Either way an effective boycott that got results for Sade and will hopefully save other dogs from such abuse.

[LisaLynne]

12. Nice!

It really is about holding people accountable. If they don't naturally have the compassion and decency that we need in our society, then the rest of us have to do what we can to make sure, if for no other reason, they fear the consequences of hurting others.

[arikara]

13. CEO's and psychopathy

the incidence of psychopathy are 4X greater in CEO's of corporations than in the general population. Abusing animals is a sure sign of psychopathy.