Nine’s culture of bullying and sexual harassment is exposed after investigation finds company ‘fails to take responsibility’

Bosses in Nine’s staffing department allegedly belittled, intimidated, gaslighted and sexually harassed employees, and when complaints were made against management, HR covered it up.

That was the key finding of an investigation into the company’s workplace practices and culture, which found Nine Entertainment has a systemic problem with abuse of power and authority, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment.

The review was carried out after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced against former Nine Entertainment news boss Darren Wick.

Based on 934 responses to an employee survey, as well as 122 personal interviews and written submissions, the assessment included confronting testimony about the company’s toxic culture, including a cover-up by HR when complaints were made.

The survey by corporate culture agency Intersection found that the broadcasting division had “very high prevalence rates of abuse of power or authority” (62 percent).

“These findings paint a picture of an organization where accountability is lacking, where workplace decisions are made based on personal gain or preference, and where an individual’s role or status can be used to bully, harass or ‘put down to hit,’” the review said.

“These practices have created an ecosystem of inequality, where poor performers are not addressed in real time, if at all.”

More than half of all employees in the broadcast division (57 percent) also reported experiencing bullying, discrimination or intimidation.

“These behaviors are perpetrated by both leaders and colleagues and often go unaddressed.”

Nearly a third of broadcast employees (30 percent) reported experiencing sexual harassment, with sexually suggestive comments or jokes and intrusive questions about appearance or private life common.

“Although sexual harassment most often occurred at work, social events (where alcohol was present) were found to be a risk factor for sexual harassment,” the review said.

“Known perpetrators of inappropriate workplace behavior have not been addressed; instead, employees have been warned about interactions with certain individuals, or told to avoid contact with them. In other cases, leaders have tried to “cover up” inappropriate behavior in the workplace, or discourage reporting of incidents.

“This behavior has significant human costs.”

Nine staff who filed complaints say HR engaged in ‘cover-up’

One employee told the review: “The anxiety I experienced previously (every workday) was debilitating. He (unknown) humiliated me in front of everyone else on the team.”

Another said: “I got put on hold (by my manager) for talking about a story. Everyone calls it ‘Punishment Island’. When I was younger I would be in tears over something like this. I’m withdrawn now. I’m exhausted from the games.”

Another said: “I’ve endured thousands of microaggressions over time. It’s death by a thousand cuts… there was a moment where I wanted to kill myself.”

Some gave detailed accounts of sexual harassment: “While I was at (location), (individual) tried to groom me. He also touched my butt at the Christmas party and at other times he rubbed my legs under the table. In (location) I saw him do it to other women.”

Another said: “It wouldn’t be unusual to be asked or hear, “Who did you fuck last night?” or “Someone’s getting their dick sucked.”

Employees said in the review that when they filed complaints, HR would cover it up.

One employee put it this way: “It’s been drilled into us never to go to HR. They’re very much on the company’s side. Their attitude is, ‘It’s not our fault this happened.'”

While the review included a deep dive into Nine’s news and current affairs department, it also included the results of a company-wide survey.

It found that more than half had experienced or witnessed abuse of power or authority (52 percent), almost half had experienced bullying, discrimination or intimidation (49 percent) and almost a quarter had experienced experienced sexual harassment (24 percent).

One in six (16 percent) Nine employees had experienced all three forms.

Nine apologizes and promises change

The report contains 22 recommendations and the Nine Board has committed to implementing all of them.

“Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we come to terms with these findings and reflect as an organization on serious cultural issues,” said Nine chair Catherine West.

“To anyone who has experienced inappropriate behavior that does not meet Nine’s values, we are deeply sorry. On behalf of the board, I apologize without reservation.”

Nine’s acting chief executive Matt Stanton said the behavior of Nine staff was “not acceptable in any workplace and falls well below what our people have a right to expect in the working environment”.

“While it is important that all of us at Nine take a moment to reflect today, we also move forward with the resolve to do better,” he said.

Intersection director Natasha de Silva said the recommendations from the review are “intended to build a safe, respectful and inclusive culture at Nine going forward”.