An independent review into Nine’s workplace practices and culture has made 22 recommendations in a damning report that found employees in the broadcast division had been routinely bullied, intimidated and sexually harassed.
The review, conducted by external consulting firm Intersection and published online this afternoon, found “concerning levels of inappropriate workplace behaviours at Nine”.
Nine is the publisher of this website.
The report was initiated in response to allegations within the television news and current affairs division but was broadened to take in the full organisation.
“Inappropriate workplace behaviours” were defined in the report as a prevalence and nature of abuse of power or authority; bullying, discrimination and harassment; and sexual harassment.
The 82-page report found those inappropriate behaviours had been “underpinned and enabled” by a “lack of leadership”, “power imbalances” and “gender inequality and a lack of diversity” in the television news and current affairs broadcast division in particular.
“Power imbalances, a high-pressure environment, and a workplace culture that tolerates inappropriate workplace behaviours were identified to be the drivers for inappropriate workplace behaviours at Nine,” the report found.
The report found 30 per cent of broadcast employees, and 24 per cent of Nine employees as a whole, had experienced sexual harassment in the last five years.
The industry rate of employees experiencing sexual harassment in the media industry as a whole is 64 per cent and across all industries 33 per cent, according to the report.
The report also found 52 per cent of Nine employees had experienced or witnessed an abuse of power and 49 per cent bullying discrimination or harassment.
In the broadcast division, that number rose to 62 per cent of employees who reported having experienced or witnessed an abuse of authority.
The survey found one in six Nine employees had experienced all three forms of inappropriate workplace behaviours – abuse of power, bullying and sexual harassment.
The review did not extend to investigating or making findings about any individuals.
Nine’s board has committed to implementing all 22 recommendations, which include ensuring responsibility and accountability from senior leaders, engaging an external complaints investigator, reviewing employment arrangements in the broadcast division and reporting annually on the number and nature of complaints about inappropriate workplace behaviour.
The report gathered Nine employees’ experiences through 934 responses to an anonymous survey, one-on-one interviews, confidential written submissions and a review of the company’s policies, procedures, training materials and more.
‘Incredibly difficult day for Nine’
Nine chair Catherine West offered an apology on behalf of the board and said today was “incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation”.
West also said all recommendations made would be implemented.
“The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable,” West said.
“Abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct is not okay. This behaviour has no place at Nine.
“We acknowledge that too many of our past and present employees have been harmed by poor workplace culture, the prevalence of inappropriate workplace behaviours, and an inadequate response in the past from Nine to those behaviours.
“To any individual who has experienced inappropriate conduct that does not meet the values of Nine, we are deeply sorry.
“On behalf of the Board, I unreservedly apologise.
“The strength and courage these individuals have shown in sharing their stories as part of this process will allow us to move forward as an organisation with a clear understanding of where we went wrong and their insights will help strengthen Nine’s culture for the better.
“For that, we thank them.
“Despite the proactive culture change agenda already underway, the reality is much more needs to be done and a cultural reset is required.
“Nine’s Board and leadership team are united in their commitment to accelerating and driving the required change.”
Acting chief executive Matt Stanton, who stepped into the role after Mike Sneesby’s exit last month, said the report “makes for hard reading”.
“It was personally distressing for me to read these stories from our people,” Stanton said.
“The behaviour experienced by many of our people right across the business is not acceptable in any workplace and falls well below what our people should expect in the work environment.
“While it is important that today all of us at Nine take a moment to reflect, we also move forward with a resolve to do better.
“We have a responsibility to our people to create a safe and respectful work environment to ensure they can perform at their best.
“Our people deserve nothing less.”
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