We’re barely two months into 2025, and yet here we are again—another wave of workplace sexual harassment scandals in tech. This time, it’s Dovetail’s CEO Benjamin Humphrey and WiseTech billionaire Richard White making headlines, both accused of serious sexual misconduct.
If there’s one common thread, it’s the misuse of power by wealthy, influential men in an industry that has a long history of looking the other way. It’s time for industry wide action beyond codes of conduct and set and forget policies.
But let’s talk about the Richard White allegations for a moment. According to new explosive reports, a former female employee on a temporary visa alleges that White provided financial support and help with her visa in exchange for an ongoing sexual relationship.
If true, the allegations highlight something we don’t discuss nearly enough—the extreme vulnerability of migrant women in the workplace. A 2024 study by Unions NSW found that one in two migrant women in Australia experience workplace sexual harassment, and 75 per cent don’t report it. That statistic alone should be a wake-up call. Not enough, however, is being done to protect this vulnerable and vital group in the workforce.
Now, if you’ve spent any time in the startup world, you know how chaotic and fast-moving it can be. People glorify the “move fast, break things” attitude, and that mindset doesn’t just apply to product development—it seeps into workplace culture. Founders, particularly men in power, often operate like they’re above the rules, as if their vision and success somehow exempt them from basic ethical and legal responsibilities.
Another contributing factor to toxic workplace cultures is the lack of experience. A lot of startup founders are young and haven’t actually worked in a proper office before. They jump straight from uni or a side hustle into running a company, which means they’ve never had to deal with things like HR policies, workplace boundaries, or managing power dynamics. So, when it comes to building a healthy company culture, they’re often flying blind—and that’s where things can go really wrong
As startup founder and workplace culture consultant trying to support the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how some leaders dismiss the fundamentals of creating a safe and respectful workplace. They prefer to do things their own way than lean into the research and longstanding expertise on workplace culture.
The allegations against White and Humphrey aren’t just personal scandals; they’re symptoms of a much bigger problem of sexism, misuse of power and an utter lack of accountability.
When founders and executives abuse their power, it creates a ripple effect. Employees don’t feel safe. Talented women leave the industry. And for the companies themselves? Legal battles, reputation damage, and financial loss.
WiseTech, for example, saw its stock price plummet after White’s allegations surfaced. Investors are waking up to the fact that toxic workplaces aren’t just PR nightmares—they’re bad business.
What then needs to change? The startup industry needs to take a unified approach to tackling workplace culture informed by experts in the field. When the whole industry sets clear, consistent standards that are importantly enforced, it forces every company to step up, making it difficult for bad actors to hide behind fast growth or “disruptor” culture. That’s how we create real, lasting change.
I spoke to Preethi Mohan, founder of NiceTo, an organisation dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in startups on how investors can be a catalyst for change.
“Venture capital funds play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of the startups they support. It’s crucial that these funds adopt a proactive stance in fostering safe and respectful workplaces. Some funds have already initiated measures to address these issues, but for these efforts to be truly effective, they must be deeply embedded into the company’s ethos and operations, rather than being treated as a one-time checklist item,” Mohan said.
‘It’s not just the financial risk, a toxic workplace culture severely hampers talent acquisition and retention. Employees subjected to harassment are more likely to leave, leading to increased turnover and associated costs in recruitment and training. This not only affects productivity but also undermines the company’s competitive edge in the market.
“In essence, venture capitalists are not merely financiers but stewards of the startup ecosystem. From the initial consideration of an investment, venture capitalists have a responsibility to conduct thorough due diligence and uphold the highest standards for a positive company culture. This proactive approach not only fosters ethical business practices but also safeguards their investments by mitigating risks associated with toxic work environments and pave the way for inclusive innovation.”
If startups want funding, strong workplace culture shouldn’t be optional—it should be a non-negotiable.
The tech industry loves to talk about innovation. Maybe it’s time we innovated on how we treat people, too.