Nine Entertainment cultural review details testimonies of ‘toxic’ workplace

Damning testimony from Nine staff across the entertainment company details a toxic environment where people felt they couldn’t speak up about inappropriate behaviour for fear of reprisal.

Those in positions of power were able to get away with bullying and harassment without consequences, with some saying their careers were threatened.

Names and places were omitted but the quotes contained in the bombshell report paint a damning picture of Nine and its workplace culture.

The broadcast division was particularly bad, with 62 per cent of staff admitting they had experienced or witnessed abuse of power.

“(He) tried to groom me. He also touched me on the bum at the Xmas party and at other times he would rub my legs under the table ... I saw him do it to other women,” one employee said.

Another said: “It would not be uncommon to be asked or to hear: ‘Who did you f..k last night?’ or ‘Someone is going to get their dick sucked’.”

One manager was described as a known bully who would place people in “punishment island”, where they were targeted and “repeatedly belittled”.

“I have been on ice for speaking up about a story. Everyone calls it Punishment Island. When I was younger I would be in tears about something like this. I have now become disengaged. I am exhausted by the games,” a respondent said.

By the time I left my soul was gone.

Current and former Nine staff took part in the survey, with some reporting anxiety, fear and even suicidal thoughts.

“I have endured thousands of microaggressions over time. It is death by a thousand cuts. …There was a point when I wanted to kill myself,” one person said.

“When I left Nine I was a shell. I was broken. I had no confidence. I was worried about my income. It was a really horrible time,” another ex-employee said.

One person even said: “By the time I left my soul was gone.”

Nearly a third of women in the broadcast division had been affected by sexual harassment, with one describing how she felt like a “piece of meat”.

“After he sexually harassed me and I started to avoid him, I noticed that I was being passed over for opportunities,” one stated when referring to a manager’s inappropriate behaviour.

Sexually suggestive comments are rife and mostly aimed at women.

“In my opinion there is a concerning culture amongst senior older men of sexual(ly) inappropriate jokes,” a new employee stated.

One woman said that at a work function: “At one point in the evening, (Individual) was standing in a circle with myself, my boyfriend at the time. [Individual] said to my partner… ‘You can fuck her in my office if you want... just tell me when you’ve done it”.

Verbal abuse was described as common by “people in positions of power” who also shifted blame which was then supported by leadership.

“Racist, homophobic and other offensive comments have been made by senior peers and when taken to direct senior leadership there are no consequences,” one respondent stated.

Multiple respondents reported that jobs were filled based on personal relationships rather than merit.

“The manager has arbitrarily appointed people to jobs that should have been advertised, with no opportunity for other team members to apply. In some cases this has involved the appointment of friends,” one stated.

Another stated: “This place is run like a boys’ club, and I say that as a male. Decisions are made daily based on personal preference of friends/favours instead of to benefit the business/show/other employees”.

Many employees stated they were afraid to report incidents due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in the HR department.

“It is drilled into us to never go to HR. They are very much on the side of the company,” one said.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline: 13 11 14.