Sports goods giant Nike has sacked the manager of their store in central Groningen after several employees went public with claims of racism, sexism and a culture of fear.

The allegations, published by local paper Dagblad van het Noorden on Thursday, were made by six current and former members of staff, who said the manager was a racist and a bully. Female staff also complained about having to model miniskirts in the manager’s office.

Team leader Laura left the company last month and wrote to the company’s head office outlining her complaints. ‘In four short weeks I personally have witnessed acts of gross racism, misogyny and discrimination from my immediate management,’ she said in the letter.

‘I do not feel comfortable informing my store manager because he is a bully who will take retaliatory action,’ she said. Among the incidents Laura raised were being told that ‘black and brown people’ are more likely to steal and that they should be subject to extra surveillance.

Nike told DutchNews.nl in a statement that it had immediately investigated the allegations. ‘The employee about whom concerns were raised, was suspended, and we can confirm his employment has now been terminated,’ the statement said.

‘At Nike, we are committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment and respect for all our employees and consumers.’

However, DutchNews.nl has been contacted by a former shop worker who said that the company had done nothing with complaints she had made about racist and abusive behaviour as far back as last year.

More to follow