Netflix investigated one of its main executives in Spain for “aggressive and intimidating” behavior against employees of the LGBTQ + community, according to documents to which Bloomberg access has had.
The accusations against Diego Avalos, vice president of original content of Spain and Portugal, were initially made through an anonymous information line, according to a person familiar with the facts.
This triggered an internal investigation last spring, which finally ruled that it was “deeply worrying”, according to a document dated April 9.
That letter, sent by a Director of Human Resources, said that Netflix would provide help and the opportunity to “change their style of communication and leadership”.
As vice president of original content in Spain and Portugal, Avalos is one of the most important executives in one of the largest markets in Netflix in Europe.
He participated in the development and production of the paper house, the Spanish series more view of the Netflix catalog and one of the most popular programs in the history of the platform.
Avalos joined Netflix in 2014 as an executive for the acquisition of content for Latin America.
Accusations against Avalos began with an internal complaint, a person said familiar with research.
Documents seen by Bloomberg show that Naeem Hatimi, Director of Human Resources of EMEA, directed the research on Avalos along with Clothilde Verdier, a work adviser for the region.
Hatimi and Verdier told employees in Spain to avail them “used a language or demonstrated an attitude in several meetings against the LGBTQ + community and / or employees with children,” according to the letter dated April 9 seen by Bloomberg.
In that note, Hatimi described the behavior of avalus as “extremely direct” and wrote that Netflix was aware that his “style” could be seen as “aggressive and intimidating”.
The company’s leaders, including the Global Director of TV Bela Beljia and the Vice President of Original Series for EMEA, Larry Tanz, were aware of the investigation and, according to the document, they addressed the problems, they decided to keep guarantees and provided support for whom
They needed it at team meetings.
They decided that Avalos deserved a second chance, but that “they would be responsible for immediate growth,” said the letter.
“The decision to give Diego the opportunity to change his leadership and communication style, further develop his inclusion goal and rebuild confidence was not taken lightly,” Hatimi and Verdier wrote.
The Letter sent by email to the employees also detailed that Avalos “assumed responsibility” and “acknowledged that the elections and behaviors of him are inconsistent with the values of Netflix,” which made “some members of the Spanish office feel sorry
Intimidados “.
The platform is currently facing harsh criticisms from LGBTQ activists for their work with the Dave Chappelle comedian.
In its recently released comedy special, The Closer, Chappelle makes several jokes at the expense of trans.
Some Netflix employees have pronounced against the company both internally and in social networks in one of the largest labor protests to which the company has faced.
Internal documents seen by Bloomberg show that Chappelle’s special had an “impact value” of 19.4 million dollars, which means it cost more than the value it generated.
The executive co-director of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, has reiterated his support for Chappelle, but two memoranda who sent employees so far only revived the controversy.
