McDonald's confirmed Monday that Chief People Officer David Fairhurst has departed the company, effective immediately.
Fairhurst's departure follows the announcement by McDonald's on Sunday evening that the board fired CEO Steve Easterbrook for violating company policy by having a relationship with an employee. Nonfraternization policies typically do not allow relationships between managers and employees who directly or indirectly report to them.
McDonald's declined to comment further, citing company policy to not comment on personnel matters or disclose the specifics of company policy.
Fairhurst was with the company since 2005, but has only headed up its global human resources department since 2015. Before that role, he was McDonald's chief people officer for its European business. His departure comes as McDonald's restaurant-level workers are trying to unionize and asking for higher wages and better protection against sexual harassment.
Other recent executive departures include McDonald's global Chief Marketing Officer Silvia Lagnado and Chief Communications Officer Robert Gibbs, who both left last month.
Shares of McDonald's closed down 2.7% at $188.66 on Monday.