Adam Schefter and Kimberley Martin react to the NFL's $10M fine for Washington Football Team after an investigation into their workplace culture. (2:21).In response to an investigation by the NFL into Washington Football Team's workplace culture, the NFL has fined Washington Football Team $10 Million.According to the league, the money will be used to "support organizations dedicated to character education and anti-bullying as well as healthy relationships and other related topics."Tanya Snyder was also named co-CEO of the team this week. She will continue to oversee the day-today operations and represent the franchise at all league functions over the next few months. Dan Snyder, her husband, will be focusing on "a new stadium plan" and other matters, the NFL stated.All senior executives, even the Snyders, will be trained in workplace conduct. Topics include bullying, diversity, inclusion, LGBTQ+ issues and microaggression."I learned a lot over the past months about the way my club operated and the type of workplace we had. Although it is obvious that the culture was not as it should have been, I didn't realize the extent of the problems or my responsibility in allowing the culture to continue. As the owner, I have ultimate responsibility for the workplace. Dan Snyder released a statement."I feel tremendous remorse about the people who went through difficult or even traumatic experiences while they were here. I am truly sorry. Although I cannot turn back time, I promise that no one who works here will ever experience that same experience again, at the very least, not as long Tanya or I are the owners.Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, representing 40 ex-employees, stated in a statement that the NFL had chosen to "protect owner Dan Snyder" by imposing a fine of "pocket money." The employees wanted the report made public. However, Beth Wilkinson, the attorney who conducted the investigation, submitted her findings and recommendations orally to the league.Their statement stated that "this is truly outrageous" and was a slap in their faces to the hundreds of former employees and women who came forward in good will and at great personal risk in reporting a culture of abuse at every level of the Team, including Snyder. The NFL effectively said that it doesn't care about survivors around the globe and does not credit their experiences. Take note, female fans and all fans of goodwill.Lisa Friel, the NFL's special counselor for investigations, stated that Wilkinson found Washington’s workplace "highly inept" during a conference call.Friel stated that bullying and intimidation were common and many people described the culture as one based on Wilkinson’s report.She claimed that reports of subpar human resource division were not investigated and resulted in no meaningful discipline.Friel stated that the culture at the club was toxic and fell far short the NFL's values. "This is why today's announcement not only focuses on accountability for the past, but also ensures the club's future success by continuing to make improvements."She stated that coach Ron Rivera, and team president Jason Wright, were highly respected, and that this, along with a variety of hirings over the past year, led them believe that the organization was making the right changes.Janet Nova is the deputy general counsel for media affairs and business affairs of the league. Snyder's voluntary decision to step down from daily duties during the fall was made by Nova.The independent investigation into the team began in July 2020. It was initiated by a series of allegations about sexual harassment made by former employees over a period of 15 years. These were detailed last summer by The Washington Post.Wilkinson interviewed over 150 people, most of them current or former employees. Many of these individuals were given anonymity. Dan Snyder had waived confidentiality agreements with Wilkinson for those who spoke to him.Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner, "concluded that the Washington Football Team's workplace environment, particularly for women, had been extremely unprofessional for many years." Intimidation and bullying were common, and many employees described the culture as one that was filled with fear. Many female employees also reported experiencing sexual harassment and a lack of respect at work," the NFL stated in its statement.The league found that the team's "Ownership" and its senior management had not paid much or any attention to these issues. Some senior executives were guilty of inappropriate conduct, such as using demeaning language or public embarrassment. This set the tone and encouraged key executives to believe that more serious misconduct and disrespectful behavior were acceptable at work.Wilkinson offered 10 suggestions for Washington's future franchise:1. 1. Develop a formal protocol to report allegations of harassment or misconduct.2. 2. Develop a plan of discipline.3. Surveys on workplace culture and harassment conducted anonymously4. Employ a third party to train all employees about bullying, harassment, and other workplace behavior issues.5. Increase the number and diversity of employees from minority groups within the company.6. Establish a clear organizational structure and clear lines of authority.7. Expand the legal and human resources departments and legal services within the company and give them more power;8. Establish a formal onboarding procedure for new employees and a program to conduct performance reviews and interview for exit for departing employees.9. Appoint a HR employee to cheerleading squad or coed dancing team.10. Employ an independent consultant to perform an annual assessment of your employment policies.Each of these recommendations requires that the franchise report to the league on how it is doing. The league office must receive the first report by July 31. The league office must also receive the first report from the franchise detailing the results of the surveys as well as all complaints, even those arising during exit interviews.Dan Snyder stated in his statement that he agreed with the Commissioner's decision in this matter. He also said that he was committed to implementing his investigation’s important recommendations.The team reached a settlement in February with its former cheerleaders. They were seen in inappropriate videos that were made without their permission during photo shoots for the swimsuit calendar in 2008 and 2010. Multiple sources confirmed to ESPN's John Keim that the franchise had also announced it had stopped its cheerleader program during its rebranding. However, the move was not related to the investigation.The franchise made several moves to improve its culture in the last 18 months, including hiring Rivera to head coach, Wright to become the NFL's first Black president and Julie Donaldson to serve as senior vice president of media. Wright is also the first woman to have her voice on a radio broadcast of the NFL. Petra Pope, the NFL's cheerleading coach, has been replaced by "an inclusive, coed, diverse and athletic" dance team. The team will also no longer be able to pose for calendars."Over the last 18 months, Dan & Tanya recognized the need to change and have taken important steps to make the workplace more comfortable and dignified. These changes, if maintained and built on, should help the club achieve its goal to have a first-tier workplace. While I appreciate their willingness to implement all of the below ten suggestions, the league must also hold themselves accountable for past shortcomings and live up to future and current commitments," Goodell stated in the statement.
