The family of David Fairhurst, the former HR chief of McDonald's who was ousted this week, has alleged that the company forced him out because he knew about CEO Steve Easterbrook's consensual relationship with an employee and failed to act. Fairhurst, 51, left the company's Chicago headquarters on Monday, days after Easterbrook was fired for violating company policy by engaging in a relationship with a colleague.
Relatives told MailOnline that McDonald's officials accused Fairhurst of being aware of the affair and doing nothing about it. A family source said: 'David has got caught up in all this and it's not his fault. It's unfair. They are trying to make out that he knew what was going on, but he was in a very difficult position. That was his boss after all. What was he meant to do?'
Fairhurst, originally from Wigan, was brought to the US in 2015 by Easterbrook and rose through the ranks. No official reason has been given for his departure. In a LinkedIn post, Fairhurst stated: 'I have decided the time has come for me to move on to my next career challenge.'
The identity of the employee involved in the relationship with Easterbrook remains unknown. Easterbrook has enlisted crisis management lawyers on both sides of the Atlantic. Fairhurst owns a £1.2 million five-bedroom property in Hertfordshire, which is rented out for around £2,000 per month. Neighbours described him as a 'decent man' but noted he was rarely seen in the village.
