Damning report exposes toxic workplace culture at Channel Nine
A damning culture investigation has revealed a history of systemic bullying and harassment within the Channel Nine workplace.
The report, which was conducted by independent investigators, revealed their findings on Thursday, sharing the extent of the disturbing behaviour going on inside the network's offices.
As stated in the report, Nine has “has a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment”, with several employees sharing their own horror stories of working for the network.
Dozens of female workers came forward with allegations of sexual assault, with one employee saying, “When I was in (location), (employee) tried to groom me. He also touched me on the bum at the Christmas party and at other times he would rub my legs under the table."
“I saw him do it to other women.”
Another staff member was warned not to let a senior male employee “touch (her) boobs”, adding, “His comments about my body were constant.”
“He made me feel like I was just a piece of meat to be ogled at, and that he was the credible one just because he was the older man. Over time, this eroded my confidence. It just chipped away at it.”
Other employees said the culture at Nine “destroyed (them) as a human being”, left them “broken” and a “shell” or gave them “debilitating” anxiety.
“I was broken,” one former employee said. “I left the newsroom after a year. By the time I left my soul was gone.”
If anyone complained about the toxic culture and inappropriate behaviour, they were allegedly sent to what was known as “punishment island”.
“I have only been at the company a short time, but in my opinion there is a concerning culture among senior older men of sexual(ly) inappropriate jokes. There is sexual intimidation against young women and I find this completely unacceptable. I will always call them out,” another said.
Others said talking about getting bullied at Nine had become commonplace, with one employee saying, “We used to talk about being bullied, harassed or publicly humiliated like you’d talk about the weather. Now when I look back it horrifies me how normalised it had become."
Nine’s new chair Catherine West released a statement on Thursday after the report finding, saying, “We are deeply sorry ... I unreservedly apologise.”
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation."
“The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable. Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not OK. This behaviour has no place at Nine.”
The report concluded with 22 recommendations to address the negative culture, including training, accountability and another external review in three years.
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