Unacceptable behavior
Since the end of March, a mediation attempt has been underway at the National Lottery between CEO Jannie Haek and a joint trade union front of ACV, ACOD and ACLVB. De Tijd heard this and it was confirmed to our editors. According to the unions, Haek allegedly engaged in “unacceptable behavior”, including verbal violence and alcohol abuse.
At the end of February, several trade unions sent an email to the board of directors of the National Lottery. The CEO allegedly stated “unacceptable behavior”, reads the email that De Tijd was able to view, including verbal aggression and excessive alcohol consumption. “People are afraid of him and avoid him.”
“Over the years we have observed an increasing number of incidents involving verbal abuse by the CEO. “These behaviors, characterized by a toxic attitude based on fear and intimidation, are inconsistent with the values and ethics of our company,” it added.
Unsafe feeling
National Lottery spokesperson Jérémie Demeyer confirms to De Standaard that this was included in the email. At the initiative of the board of directors, a mediation process was started shortly afterwards, says Demeyer. “Haek is aware that he has hurt people with his way of communicating. It made people feel unsafe. He will ensure that this does not happen again,” the company said.
Another mediation attempt would be planned for next week, the spokesperson said. Haek, 58, has been at the head of the National Lottery since 2013. He does not respond himself because the mediation is still ongoing and the participants signed a confidentiality contract, according to Demeyer.
