‘Toxic workplace’: Ray Hadley and Alan Jones’ battle for supremacy after painting of Frankenstein’s monster behind Hadley’s 2GB desk revealed

Behind Ray Hadley’s desk at 2GB is a painting depicting him as Frankenstein’s monster being brought to life by radio legends Alan Jones and John Laws. The radio announcer took to the microphone today to defend his actions in the workplace.

• Ex-staffers detail Hadley abuse, reject apology
• Shock jock Ray Hadley apologises after bullying claim

Behind Ray Hadley’s desk at 2GB is a painting depicting him as Frankenstein’s monster being brought to life by radio legends Alan Jones and John Laws.

It is prophetic because, just as Frankenstein’s monster turned on his creator, Hadley and Jones are locked in a battle for supremacy over the coveted breakfast slot.

The tension between the two mega-salaried titans who headline Macquarie Media has risen amid a backdrop of workers slaving away on minuscule salaries making allegations of a “toxic workplace”.

Former employees have rallied to support Hadley’s former long-time panel operator Chris Bowen, who described on Facebook years of “vile and inexcusable behaviour” from Hadley.

Hadley today defended his actions in the workplace saying what was acceptable in the 1980s and 90s is not acceptable now.

Ray Hadley and Alan Jones, with Ben Fordham during a celebration of their 10 years as the number one radio station in Sydney. Picture: Mark Evans

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He addressed the fresh wave of claims by reading out a message of support, one of many, he claimed to his listeners.

The radio announcer said it would be improper to identify the person but said they were a young person who did not work directly with him but in the same building.

“I just wanted you to know you have helped so many people in this industry, myself included,” he said reading the message on 2GB.

“You’ve shown me wonderful support over my career at 2GB and in fact, even in my personal life there have been times where I thought ‘Ray will be able to help me with this, and you have’.

“The fact I can have those thoughts is testament you are the sort of person who can and does help others. We do not work in a yoga retreat there are stresses in the job, I have most definitely spoken rudely and brusquely to people in the office. And equally, I’ve copped some sprays, none from you I might add.”

A painting of Ray Hadley depicted as Frankenstein's monster created by Alan Jones and John Laws is seen in a video where Triple M’s Matty Johns storms Hadley's 2GB office. Picture: YouTube

Alan Jones is seen in the painting holding Frankenstein’s hand while Laws as the doctor hovers above. Picture: YouTube

“You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has not lost their cool in the workplace and those that claim they have not, are liars.”

Hadley ended the segment by declaring that “at the end of the day I can’t change the opinions of haters on social media, and I’ll leave it with them”.

The bullying claims come at a critical point in the negotiations for the radio station’s two big stars, who together pull in the bulk of its earnings.

Hadley filled in for Jones when he was hospitalised last year and is understood to have been aiming for the slot permanently when Jones’s contract expires at the end of the financial year.

At the end of last year, Hadley signed a new deal believed to be worth $200,000 a month leaving him comfortably positioned to step in if the vacancy arose.

Hadley’s case was strengthened by the defamation case brought by the Wagner brothers from Toowoomba, who successfully sued Jones and 2GB to secure a $3.75 million pay out at the end of last year.

Jones’s contract is up for renegotiation and there were reports he and management were struggling to find common ground.

Talkback Radio Icon John Laws. Picture: John Appleyard

Majority shareholder Nine Entertainment is keen to get Jones signed up to avoid a repeat of the Today show debacle where ratings slumped following the axing of host Karl Stefanovic.

Nine chairman Peter Costello has been lobbying to get Jones to sign on the $4.5 million line.

“The bullying allegations have come at a terrible time for Macquarie,” an insider told The Daily Telegraph.

“They don’t have Jones signed up. They are terrified they could lose both.”

Many believe the exalted position enjoyed by the big names has allowed bad behaviour to go unchecked by management.

Bowen has described how he suffered “a daily walk of shame” when he had to push Hadley’s leather chair from the studio to his office every day because Hadley did not want anyone else to sit in it.

“It was humiliating,” he said. “Ray would be walking on ahead and there I would be with everyone watching, pushing his chair behind him like some lackey.” The only thing worse than doing it was forgetting, which Bowen claims would result in a dressing down known at 2GB as a “Ray spray”.

Ray Hadley's leather studio chair in his 2GB office. Picture: YouTube

Hadley and producer Chris Bowen pictured at the 2GB studios in 2014.

Yesterday Hadley said: “Given I have previously admitted my shortcomings earlier in my career I feel obliged to defend myself here.”

He was referring to a bullying matter, settled out of court with former staffer Richard Palmer. During that matter chairman Russell Tate called Hadley a “psychotic bully”. Hadley has made clear those days are behind him.