Warner addresses working allegations
Warner Bros. executives on Thursday finally addressing allegations of toxic working conditions on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” after former staffers made explosive claims this summer.
Warnermedia CEO Jason Kilar broached the viral allegations in an email to staffers, obtained by Buzzfeed News.
“I am both concerned and disappointed by public reports regarding patterns of unacceptable behavior that have been raised in recent weeks,” said the honcho.
Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff said in a memo reviewed by the outlet that she had “empowered, and will hold accountable, the Studios and Networks HR and Legal teams to act on any issues that are brought to them.”
Sarnoff dubbed said groups “a safe harbor where you can register any concerns.”
The execs’ communications were sent out over a week after the outlet reported on a multitude of allegations dozens of current and former employees made against the workplace culture of “The Ellen Show” and the TMZ newsroom.
At the former employees claimed there was widespread sexual harassment and misconduct. Allegations against the TMZ newsroom included those of verbal abuse, racism, and misogyny.
Warner Bros. has enlisted a third party to do “an objective, proactive review across our production business” to uncover “any pattern of behavior that is at odds with our need to treat each other with dignity,” according to Kilar’s letter.
He also noted that the company will require all existing and prospective partners treat people with dignity and that ties will be severed with any partners who don’t do so.
Last month, Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, both executive producers on “Ellen,” and their co-executive producer Jonathan Norman, were axed after former employees alleged that managers had taken part in obvious sexual harassment. Managers, they claimed, also used fear and intimidation to run the day time hit.
Leman previously told the outlet he categorically denied “any kind of sexual impropriety.” Norman said he too was “100 percent categorically denying” the claims. Glavin did not not respond to Buzzfeed News.
Degeneres, who prior to the workplace allegations was a widely beloved public figure, remained silent on the allegations at first, subsequently issuing an apology to employees.
“Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe in and what i hoped for our show,” she wrote, noting she was “disappointed to learn” about the claims, which will be addressed in her opening monologue when the show returns Monday.