The Silicon Valley life coaching start up that is employing Prince Harry is facing a mutiny by staff over concerns regarding the Duke of Sussex's role.
BetterUp, a life coach and mental health support firm, was set up last March, with the Duke of Sussex named as the "chief impact officer".
The company says it focuses on "inner work" and self-reflection, while looking to help employees flourish by taking a "whole person approach" to development.
The firm is now facing uproar from its coaches who feel the company's proposed payment restructure is almost a "sneaky pay cut".
Prince Harry's role at the company has been called into question.
CAITLIN OCHS / Reuters
Coaches have reportedly criticised the group over how their performance is evaluated.
Victoria Jones / PA
A new rating system could be included in the proposed pay structure, and that would be factored into coaches' fees.
The Daily Beast reports that pay for coaches could be evaluated for how "life-changing" clients found their guidance and how often they met for sessions.
Coaches have argued that the approach is not consistent with industry norms, and is ethically questionable.
One told the DailyBeast: "For a company (whose) mission is to help empower people throughout the world… They're not walking the walk".
The Duke of Sussex was named as the group's 'chief impact officer.'
ANDREW KELLY / Reuters
The website states that none of the coaches spoken to were clear about Harry's role with the company, raising question marks over the duke's involvement with the operation.
Another coach said: They hired and hired and hired…over the past couple of years. They have so many VPs. Now, I don't even know what these VPs do".
BetterUp's statement saying Harry joined the company as an "officer of the corporation" suggests the duke holds a salaried position, but the company has refused to comment on whether it is.
The DailyBeast say the company is now working to modify its plans.
It further added that BetterUp wrote to coaches telling them "any sort of decrease in their effective session rate compared to their 2021 effective session rate".
