Nine Entertainment (Nine) has released its independent workplace culture review.
An organisation-wide survey as well as comprehensive interviews with members of the TV News & Current Affairs department were conducted by leading organisational culture firm, Intersection.
Having received the Intersection report today, the Nine Board has released it in its entirety to Nine's 5,000-strong workforce and made it publicly available. Upon receiving the report, Nine will use it to inform its efforts to strengthen its organisational culture and workplace environment.
The report concluded that Nine has a systemic problem with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination, and harassment; and sexual harassment.
This behaviour is driven by a lack of leadership accountability, power imbalances, gender inequality, and a lack of diversity; and significant distrust of leaders at all levels.
As a result of the report, 22 recommendations have been made, which are divided into three parts: foundational, intermediate, and advanced changes necessary to reset Nine's culture.
The Nine Board of Directors committed today to implementing all 22 recommendations, and has requested management to provide an action plan to uplift the company's culture during November 2024.
Nine Chair Catherine West said: “Today is an incredibly difficult day for Nine as we confront these findings and reflect on serious cultural issues as an organisation. The behaviour outlined in the report is unacceptable. 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.”
Nine Acting Chief Executive Officer Matt Stanton said: “The Intersection report makes for hard reading for the many people who love working for Nine and all that we stand for. It was personally distressing for me to read these stories from our people. 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.”
Intersection Principal Natasha de Silva said: “This report reflects the findings from the most comprehensive review of culture ever undertaken in the Australian media sector. While our review contains sobering findings, the strong survey participation rate is an indication of the willingness of the Nine workforce to be part of the cultural change.
“The recommendations made by the review are intended to build a safe, respectful and inclusive culture at Nine into the future. I am encouraged by the Board and management’s commitment to transparency demonstrated by releasing the review report in full as well as their commitment to implementing the recommendations.”