The editor-in-chief of the Age, Mark Forbes, has been stood down and is being investigated by Fairfax Media after a young female reporter complained of sexual harassment.

The woman made a formal complaint to management after Forbes allegedly “groped her on the bottom” at the Age Music Victoria awards in November, sources told Guardian Australia.

After inquiries from Guardian Australia on Friday, Fairfax Media confirmed the investigation.

“Mark Forbes has been stood down pending the outcome of an investigation that is underway,” a spokesman said. “Fairfax is committed to a safe workplace and has zero tolerance for any behaviour that does not meet the highest standards.

“Alex Lavelle, editor of the Age, will oversee the newsroom.”

Forbes was stood down just hours before the Walkley awards celebrating excellence in journalism, being held in Brisbane. He was expected to attend.

The Age has been campaigning against sexual harassment in the workplace, publishing a major investigation on Monday.

The Walkley Award and United Nations Media Peace award-winning journalist was appointed to the role in April after three years as The Age’s news director.

Fairfax Media is publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times and The Canberra Times.

Forbes, who started his career at Fairfax in 1985, has been a foreign correspondent and editor of the Sunday Age.

Fairfax Media editorial director Sean Aylmer praised his talents when he was appointed earlier this year as a replacement to Andrew Holden, who stood down in February.

“As a political correspondent, investigative reporter and foreign correspondent, Mark won numerous awards, including several Quill Awards and a Walkley Award for an expose of Australia’s role in the international steroid trade,” Aylmer said.

“He has also won the United Nations Media Peace Prize for a ground-breaking journey into Indonesia’s Papua province.

“Mark is an outstanding journalist, with a keen news sense and belief in quality reporting. He is the ideal person to continue The Age’s transformation, providing quality journalism across print and digital.”