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Global commercial firm CBRE has been facing turmoil as the company investigates allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate relationships, as well as a lawsuit from a senior manager.
CBRE has announced that it has begun an investigation as allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace relationships have emerged.
The statement followed a report by The Australian Financial Review, which revealed that an internal complaint had been filed against a senior employee who reportedly harassed a colleague this year.
The complaint also raised further concerns about senior managers allegedly engaging in inappropriate relationships with subordinates.
A CBRE spokesperson said the company is “aware of allegations that have been made” and that the matters were being addressed according to the firm’s standard procedures.
“When allegations of significant misconduct are received, they are investigated by our trust team, which reports to the global general counsel rather than any business segment,” the spokesperson said.
CBRE said that the incident has since been referred to its global trust and investigations team, adding that disciplinary action would be taken if misconduct is confirmed.
Earlier in October, the firm also faced scrutiny after a mysterious flash drive was reportedly left for the agency’s former head of national leasing, Leif Olson, who had left the company late last year.
The flash drive allegedly contained more than 1,000 photos, including images of staff at the real estate firm drinking beer, as well as close-up shots of crotches and staff in dominatrix attire.
Other images on the drive presumably included photos of staff giving the middle finger during team events.
CBRE investigated the complaint last month but closed the matter.
The firm said it has investigated and reviewed the photos, some of which appear to be current and former employees drinking in a social setting, and confirmed that the images were taken 10 years ago.
While the company closed the matter around the flash drive, CBRE has also been taken to Fair Trading by senior staff member Damian Frazzica in September, over allegations of wage theft, workplace bullying, and intimidation.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Frazzica, who was stood down in March, claimed it was a deliberate attempt by CBRE to stop him from raising complaints about colleagues at the company’s Sydney offices.
The firm has denied taking adverse actions against Frazzica, stating he was placed on leave because it no longer considered it safe for him to work due to mental health concerns.
The senior manager has asked the watchdog to prevent CBRE from terminating his employment and has been seeking compensation and fines from the company.
According to Frazzica’s claim, the dispute began after he complained about having to split commissions with his boss, CBRE’s former national head of retail leasing, Leif Olson, who he said was no longer handling property listings.
Frazzica has alleged that multiple complaints against Olson were substantiated by CBRE, including claims that Olson falsely accused him of intentionally killing his rabbit and asked him which female colleagues he would have sexual relations with.
According to his statement, Frazzica experienced depression, anxiety, and panic attacks due to the stress he endured at work.
Frazzica and CBRE had a Fair Trading hearing in October, but a decision has not yet been made public.
The controversy comes amid a wider wave of workplace disputes and legal actions in Australia’s major real estate firms, with rival group JLL facing similar challenges and leadership changes over misconduct allegations.
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