A former head of marketing at a large corporation claims he lost his job because he was «too American,» wears khaki pants to work, and is too old.
Gray Hallett, 61, a former director of marketing at Boyden World Corporation, a prominent consulting and staffing firm, said he was illegally fired in January after he complained of discrimination.
According to Hallett's lawsuit, starting in late 2017, the firm's chairman and managing partner, Jörg Kasten, began making «regular derogatory» comments about the man's nationality, saying he was «too American» and should behave «more European.»
In November 2017, Kasten allegedly scolded Hallett for wearing khaki pants, a button-down shirt, and a sweater during a board meeting. Then, according to the lawsuit, Halletta was set as an example for another, younger employee. Gray claims that while some of his colleagues regularly wore jeans and T-shirts, but were never criticized.
The lawsuit also reported another conflict in August 2019 — when Boyden UK managing partner Nick Robson, the defendant, was upset with a marketing decision Hallett made. Robson allegedly told the man that his arguments were «out of date» and called for «resign.»
In January, after more than 13 years at the company, Hallett was «suddenly» fired. His spokesman insists that ageism and ethnic discrimination were the reason for this decision.
In response to The Post's request for comment, Boyden's chief marketing officer Chris Swee said the company «cannot comment» on the situation to date as it has not yet received a formal complaint from Hallett's representatives. He also added that Boyden «opposes discrimination in any form.»
