Rashida Jones is denying a report that she quit working on Toy Story 4 because of unwanted advances by Pixar co-founder John Lasseter.

Jones and her writing partner Will McCormack say in a statement first released to The New York Times on Tuesday that they left the company because of creative and philosophical differences.

Their statement called on Pixar to do more to hire women and people of color for creative positions, including as directors.

The statement came hours after the trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter reported that Lasseter made an 'unwanted advance' toward Jones.

Lasseter announced Tuesday he was taking a sabbatical in a vaguely-worded memo that cited 'missteps' with employees.

The statement from Jones and McCormack says 'The Hollywood Reporter' does not speak for them.

It applauded unnamed sources included in the Reporter's story who told the trade magazine Lasseter's actions made them uncomfortable.

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Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones (left) has quit as writer for Toy Story 4 because Pixar founder John Lasseter (right) made unwanted advances on her, inside sources claim

Lasseter (left with his wife Mary; right with Mary and three of their five kids) has also been accused of groping Pixar staff. Disney said Jones left due to 'creative differences'

Earlier on Tuesday, Pixar co-founder and Walt Disney Animation chief John Lasseter was accused of scaring Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones away from Toy Story 4 with unwanted advances.

The claim came from unnamed sources who also accuse Lasseter of 'grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes' with other staff members, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The same day Lasseter, who is married with five children, sent a vaguely worked memo to staff in which announced he was going on a six-month sabbatical after 'letting them down' with 'unwanted hugs' and 'gestures'.

Multiple sources who did not want to be named for fear of damaging their careers told THR that Jones and writing partner Will McCormack fled Toy Story 4 due to Lasseter's advances.

Pixar, however, told THR that she left due to 'creative differences' and neither Jones nor McCormack returned calls for comment from THR.

Lasseter has gone on a six-month sabbatical after he 'let down' staff with 'unwanted hugs and gestures'. But Pixar say Jones left due to 'creative differences'

However, the claims against Lasseter didn't end with the Jones allegations.

Former Pixar staff and animation industry insiders told the site that Lasseter - who is known for hugging people in the industry - also groped and harassed women.

He was known to drink heavily at industry functions, but his behavior also took place outside that, insiders said.

One source said that 15 years ago he spotted Lasseter with a woman at a meeting.

'She was bent over and [had her arm] across her thigh,' he said. 'The best I can describe it is as a defensive posture... John had his hand on her knee, though, moving around.'

He said the woman told him afterward that 'it was unfortunate for her to wear a skirt that day and if she didn't have her hand on her own right leg, his hand would have traveled.'

He also said that when he asked why two women had been cropped out of a photo with Lasseter he was told: 'We had to crop it. Do you know where his hands were?'

One woman told THR: 'You'd hug him and he'd whisper in your ear, a long time.

'He hugged and hugged and everyone's looking at you. Just invading the space.'

It got so bad that women routinely turned their heads away to avoid his kisses when he hugged them, and referred to a move designed to stop him touching their legs as 'The Lasseter'.

On Tuesday Lasseter said in a memo to staff that he'd had 'difficult conversations' with unnamed parties that were 'painful' to him.

'It's never easy to face your missteps, but it's the only way to learn from them. As a result, I've been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be,' he wrote.

Lasseter (right) co-founded Pixar with Steve Jobs (left) and others. He directed Toy Story 1 and 2, and has produced every Pixar movie since Monsters, Inc as well as many Disney flicks

'It's been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent.

'I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form,' he wrote.

He said that he would therefore take six months out of the office 'to take some time away to reflect on how to move forward from here.'

He added: 'My hope is that a six-month sabbatical will give me the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.'

A Disney spokesperson says the company is committed to maintaining a respectful work environment and fully supports Lasseter's sabbatical.

Lasseter co-founded Pixar with Steve Jobs and went on to direct some of its most popular films, including Toy Story 1 and 2, the Cars films, and A Bug's Life.

He has also produced every Pixar feature since Monsters, Inc, in 2001.

He has been the chief creative officer for Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2006, overseeing hits like Frozen and Moana.

Pixar's next film, Coco, hits theaters on Thanksgiving Day.