Adidas Left Out of Step on Diversity After Head of HR Departs
- Company veteran left after complaints from Black employees
- ‘You’re asking for trouble’ without any diversity on the board
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The abrupt departure of Adidas AG’s head of human resources this week marks the second high-profile loss of a female board member among Germany’s most important companies, diminishing diversity and putting Europe’s largest economy increasingly out of step with a global push for inclusion.
Karen Parkin resigned from the management board on June 30 after coming under fire for characterizing staff concerns over racial disparities as “noise.” Black employees have criticized management for not doing enough to promote their cause. Adidas Chief Executive Officer Kasper Rorsted will assume her role until a successor is found.