Washington Post suspends reporter over unspecified 'inappropriate workplace conduct' with women

On Wednesday, The Washington Post suspended veteran reporter Joel Achenbach for 90 days for unspecified "inappropriate workplace conduct" involving current and former female colleagues. In a statement, Achenbach said he's "very sorry to say that I've behaved badly" and "said and done things that were unprofessional, and I apologize to the women affected by this and acknowledge their courage in speaking out." Achenbach has been with the Post since 1990.

The Post said that 90 days without pay is the most severe punishment it has handed out in years for violations of workplace or journalistic standards, and compared Achenbach's suspension to the punishment meted out by The New York Times to reporter Glenn Thrush. Managing Editor Tracy Grant said if new information or allegations of misconduct is uncovered, Achenbach will face further disciplinary action up to and including termination. He is the first Post journalist punished since the current flood of sexual misconduct allegations hit Hollywood, the news media, and politics in October, the newspaper said.

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