Former CEO of Interface Inc. Files $100 Million Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

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In mid-January, Jay Gould was fired from his position as CEO of Interface Inc., a global manufacturer of flooring materials. Now he has filed a lawsuit against the company for wrongful termination, and seeks $100 million compensation.

According to Gould, who filed the civil action on February 14, the $100 million total is what he was deprived of by the company in compensation, damaged reputation and mental anguish.

Case background

Gould began his career at Interface in January 2015 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was promoted to CEO in March 2017 and held the position until this January, when he was terminated after an investigation found he engaged in personal behavior that violated the company’s conduct policy and core values.

The company replaced him as president and CEO three days later with the chairman of the board of directors. Interface stated the leadership change was “unrelated to operational or financial performance.” The company cites whistleblower complaints that Gould was inebriated and verbally abusive at a company event in January.

However, Gould’s legal team states the reasons for his firing and the transition in leadership were falsified, and that he did not behave in a way that violated the company’s code of conduct. Instead, he claimed the firing was retaliation for his efforts to fight a “culture of nepotism and misogyny.”

If you believe you have been retaliated against for speaking out against wrongdoing in your workplace, seek the assistance of a skilled whistleblower lawyer at Kardell Law Group.

By Steve Kardell | Published May 4, 2020 | Posted in Whistleblower Litigation

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