Karl Stefanovic calls a company meeting to discuss ‘toxic culture’ at Channel Nine amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour: ‘Men need to do better’
Karl Stefanovic has called a company-wide meeting to discuss cultural issues at Channel Nine, reports claim.
Last month, Nine boss Mike Sneesby sent an email to all employees urging staff with complaints of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ at the network to come forward, following the sudden departure of Nine’s director of news and current affairs Darren Wick.
According to the The AustralianOn Friday, Stefanovic, 49, gathered network staff, including fellow Today stars Sarah Abo, Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, to discuss this “toxic culture.”
The ‘solemn’ meeting was reportedly called by Nine’s director of morning television, Steven Burling, and was attended by employees from across the country, both in person and online.
‘Stefanovic also gave a powerful speech to his colleagues, telling them that ‘men must do better’ at Nine, while praising the network’s female employees, describing them as ‘the heart and soul’ of the media company’ , the report claims.
Current Karl Stefanovic, 49, (pictured) called a company-wide meeting on Friday to discuss cultural issues at Channel Nine, reports claim
Sneesby was also apparently invited to the meeting by Stefanovic, and gave a speech about how he understood why some female employees “felt like they couldn’t say anything.”
Before the meeting, Burling also reportedly sent a letter to news staff saying the meeting was an opportunity to “reset and reinforce positive ways.”
It came weeks after Sneesby sent an email to all nine employees urging them to report “inappropriate conduct” at the media giant following the departure of news chief Darren Wick.
According to The Australian, Stefanovic, 49, gathered network staff including fellow Today stars Sarah Abo, Sylvia Jeffreys (right) and David Campbell (left) on Friday to discuss this “toxic culture.”
“It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we will not tolerate inappropriate behavior in the workplace and want to know if any inappropriate behavior is occurring so that it can be addressed quickly,” Sneesby wrote in the email, which was sent on May 22nd.
Sneeby then assured the employees that filing a complaint about such behavior would not harm their careers.
“…If you feel you have been victimized because you have complained about a particular issue, you should raise it with our company’s senior leaders or People and Culture,” he wrote.
Last month, Nine boss Mike Sneesby (pictured) sent an email to all employees calling on staff with complaints about ‘inappropriate behaviour’ at the network to come forward, following the sudden departure of Nine’s director of news and current affairs Darren Wick
‘Our guidelines on workplace conduct and how we deal with complaints about workplace issues are on our intranet.
‘I encourage you to raise any concerns you have about workplace behavior to ensure Nine is a safe and supportive place to work in for all of us.
“We have all been involved in developing our purpose and values, which guide the way we show up every day.”
Wick (pictured) announced his resignation in a statement on March 15, ending weeks of speculation about his future, with Nine insisting he had just taken an extended summer break.
A spokesperson for Nine said the network would not comment on the timing of Sneesby’s email, the reasons for Wick’s departure or the nature of any allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Sneesby’s email referred to recent media attention to Nine’s “internal processes and policies relating to workplace conduct complaints” following Wick’s departure, but did not mention Wick by name.
Wick announced his resignation in a statement on March 15, ending weeks of speculation about his future, with Nine insisting he just took an extended summer break.
Nine has since appointed respected journalist Fiona Dear as director of news and current affairs.
Nine has since appointed respected journalist Fiona Dear (pictured) as director of news and current affairs
