Goldman Sachs’ former recruitment chief has accused it of creating a ‘culture of bullying’ that caused staff to ‘sob’ through meetings and led to him having a mental breakdown, reports The Telegraph (paywall). Ian Dodd, who was global head of recruiting, is suing the investment bank for £1 million, alleging that the pressure to work excessive hours caused him to have a mental breakdown. He alleged that senior managers at the bank ought to have known that he was becoming unwell, that he was at real risk of suffering a breakdown and that this was due to his work. 

Dodd, who left the bank in 2021, claimed that Goldman employees frequently ‘express distress’ by crying and that ‘sobbing through meetings’ was common behaviour, according to documents filed in the High Court. Dodd also alleged that there was a ‘culture of bullying’ at Goldman and that comments such as ‘take that as your first punch in the face’ or references to staff members receiving a ‘slap’ or ‘punch’ were condoned. Goldman has been accused in the past of having a ‘gruelling’ workplace culture that demands staff work ultralong hours.

Dodd has previously held senior recruiting roles at Expedia and Skype as well as a number of consulting roles.

In its defence Goldman denied all of the allegations. The bank said, “If Mr Dodd felt pressure, it was self-generated; it was not imposed on him. If he did work excessive hours, this was not because it was required or expected of him.” It added that “Dodd was provided with appropriate support and had a variety of wellness resources available to him.”

In May 2023, Goldman Sach’s settled a long-running gender discrimation lawsuit for $215 million. The class action lawsuit alleged widespread bias against women in both pay and promotions.