longer stay within the company

Scandals involving coworkers’ behavior no longer stay within the company – they instantly make headlines, spark heated discussions on social media, and even put the stamp of “cancellation” on an entire corporation.

Why do careless statements by employees become a threat to the employer’s image? How do such incidents change the perception of the brand as a whole? In this article, we will analyze the mechanisms of corporate reputation formation, consider other people’s mistakes and find out how the words of one princess led to multimillion-dollar losses. 

Private Non-Public: Freedom of Speech in a Major Brand longer stay within the

Of course, an employee may have his own views and beliefs, but what happens when these views become public knowledge and affect the image of the organization?

Even if a person doesn’t mention their employer directly, the audience can easily associate them with the company, especially when they hold a public position. We’ll come back to this later. For now, let’s answer the question: 

Why does an employee’s words become a problem for a brand? longer stay within the

1. Association with the company.
   When a person publicly expresses their opinion, their audience perceives it as a reflection of the corporate position. This is especially true for public figures who represent the brand.
   For example, in 2021, a top Coca-Cola manager found himself at the center of a scandal after unsuccessful comments about the company’s diversity program. For which he received a wave of criticism both in his address and in the direction of the corporation, despite its official statements. And what other scandals are contained in the legendary bottle, read  here. 
2. Threat to brand values.
   When an employee’s statements contradict the company’s public mission, it calls into question its sincerity. For example, if a brand declares its commitment  to ESG , and a colleague publicly supports projects that harm the environment, the audience will question the corporate integrity.
3. longer stay within theSocial responsibility.
   Modern society expects companies not only to produce quality products, but also to behave ethically. When an employee makes provocative or “unecological” judgments, it causes hate directed at the entire brand. 

An example is the statement of Antonio Garcia Martinez, a former Apple product manager: “Most women in Silicon Valley are soft and weak, spoiled and naive, despite their claims to experience, and in general they are full of nonsense.” The result of such words is obvious: a storm of indignation swept over the Cupertino people, and the dismissal of the main antihero did not take long to come.

Companies are in a difficult position: on the one hand, they want to preserve employees’ freedom of speech, which is an important aspect of a trusting relationship, and on the other, they want to protect their reputation.

The Dark Side of Snow White: How Rachel Zegler Changed Disney

Let’s look at a real example of how the words of one person can undermine the image of a multi-billion dollar company.

What’s happened:  longer stay within the

When Disney announced a remake of the 1937 classic Snow White, expectations were high. The project was supposed to be another milestone in the studio’s iconic legacy. However, instead of focusing on the film, users and media were discussing not the plot and visuals, but controversial comments from lead actress Rachel Zegler.

What Zegler said, and why her words sparked a wave of criticism:

In interviews and on social media, the actress has repeatedly spoken out about the classic cartoon Snow White, calling it outdated and out of touch with modern values. Her comments included the following:

• Original as ‘problem’ Zegler argued that the guinea business email list 1937 cartoon depicted “patriarchal stereotypes” and romanticized relationships that today seem “toxic.”
• Criticism of the Prince: The actress mocked the romantic line with Prince Charming, saying that the heroine no longer needs to be “saved by a man.”
• Focus on Snow White’s career. Rachel emphasized that the new princess will focus on her “leadership role” and become an inspiration to girls.

Consequences: 

And although the scandals surrounding Snow White will 7 copywriting examples to captivate your target audience only gain momentum before the premiere, the company is already facing a reputational crisis:

1. Denying its own legacy.
   Disney is a brand that has built its identity on classic, nostalgic stories for decades. When an actress representing one of the studio’s most famous characters openly criticizes an original film, it calls into question the company’s values. Audiences saw Zegler’s words as undermining the traditions that Disney prides itself on.
   Fans began boycotting the project long before its release, creating hashtags like #NotMySnowWhite on social media.
2. Risk of reputational damage.
   Zegler’s comments have caused a split among Disney’s audience. Some viewers supported the idea of ​​modernizing fairy tales, but others, more conservative, felt offended. This puts Disney in a position where either the reaction — support for the actress or her condemnation — could be damaging.
3. Impact on sales and image.
   The scandals surrounding Zegler will hit the film’s telegram data box office hard. Fans disappointed by her words are already calling for a boycott. This threatens the success of not only Snow White, but also future Disney projects, as audience trust in the brand weakens.