Karl Stefanovic has reportedly called a company-wide meeting to discuss cultural issues at Channel Nine.
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 AustralianStefanovic, 49, brought together the network’s staff on Friday, including her Today colleagues Sarah Abo, Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell, to discuss the “toxic culture.”
The “solemn” meeting was reportedly called by Nine’s head of morning television, Steven Burling, and attended by staff from across the country, both in person and online.
Stefanovic told colleagues that “men need to do better” at Nine during a powerful speech as he praised the network’s female employees, describing them as the “heart and soul” of the media company, the report claims.
Karl Stefanovic, 49 (pictured) today called a company-wide meeting on Friday to discuss cultural issues at Channel Nine, reports claim.
Stefanovic also reportedly invited Sneesby to the meeting, who gave a speech about how she understood why some female employees “felt like they couldn’t speak.”
Before the meeting, Burling also sent a letter to news staff saying the meeting was an opportunity to “reset and reinforce positive ways.”
Sneesby wrote in his email to staff on May 22 that “it is important that everyone at Nine knows that we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior in the workplace and we want to know if inappropriate behavior is taking place, so we can address it promptly.” .
Sneesby then assured employees that filing a complaint about such conduct would not be detrimental to their careers.
‘…If you feel you have been a victim because you have made a complaint about an issue, you should raise this with senior leaders in our business or with People and Culture,’ he wrote.
Last month, Nine boss Mike Sneesby (pictured) sent an email to all employees urging staff with complaints of “inappropriate behaviour” at the network to come forward, following the sudden departure of the director of news and current affairs from Nine, Darren Wick.
‘Our guidelines on workplace conduct and how we handle complaints about workplace issues are on our intranet.
‘I encourage you to raise any concerns you may have about behavior in the workplace, to ensure Nine is a safe and supportive place for us all to work.
“We have all participated in developing our purpose and values that should guide the way we show up each day.”
A Nine spokesperson 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 behaviour.
Wick (pictured) announced his resignation in a statement on March 15, ending weeks of speculation about his future during which Nine insisted he was only taking a long summer holiday.
Sneesby’s email referred to recent media attention on Nine’s “internal processes and policies regarding workplace conduct complaints” following Wick’s departure, but did not mention him by name.
Wick announced his resignation in a statement on March 15, ending weeks of speculation about his future during which Nine insisted he was simply taking a long summer holiday.
Nine has since appointed respected journalist Fiona Dear as director of news and current affairs.
Nine has since appointed Fiona Dear (pictured) as director of news and current affairs.