Allegedly, a very special timetable was kept in an Excel spreadsheet.
The news broke in the Hungarian press on August 27. The independent news portal Telex.hu was the first to report that Szabolcs Pintér was leaving his position as head of SAP Hungary with immediate effect.
According to the portal’s information, after a sexual misconduct case emerged last year at the company’s U.S. branch, the entire group underwent an audit, which ultimately led to the dismissal of two senior executives in Hungary.
Telex said that in the Hungarian branch it was not a matter of sexual misconduct, but rather “problematic wording” found in correspondence about a corporate event last year, which was considered concerning when measured against multinational corporate standards. This was the reason the managing director had to step down.
Index.hu, however, which published an article on the matter shortly afterward, wrote about very different reasons, claiming the dismissals were indeed related to sex.
According to their reporting, prostitutes had been invited to one of SAP Hungary’s conferences last year, and their services could be used in a designated area under the label “Quiet Room, Massage.” Allegedly, an Excel spreadsheet was maintained to record who used the room and when.
This drew the attention of the German headquarters, which questioned why massages were needed at a conference. Following this, investigations were launched, uncovering the secret of the so-called massage room, and there may also have been instances of drug use.
Index reports that the entire Hungarian management was dismissed, and a crisis team was convened.
The outlet contacted SAP Hungary Ltd., which confirmed the departure of the managing director. The information about prostitutes appearing at the conference has not been denied to this day.
Details about the sexual misconduct case involving a U.S.-based SAP employee can be read here.
