Vice says it 'failed' employees as misconduct incidents emerge

Vice has grown from its founding by Smith, Alvi and Gavin McInnes as an alternative magazine in Montreal to the highest ranks in media

Vice Media’s co-founders told employees the company had “failed” them, in a letter that emerged as the New York Times published a story describing more than a dozen cases of sexual misconduct and legal settlements paid to four women.

“We have failed as a company to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone, especially women, can feel respected and thrive,’’ Vice co-founders Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi said in the letter, which was dated Saturday.

A “boy’s club” culture held over from its early days allowed inappropriate behaviour to permeate throughout the company, they wrote. 

“It happened on our watch, and ultimately