Former Nine employee reports two male managers over claims of bullying, sexual harassment

A former female Nine Entertainment employee has reported allegations of sexual harassment and bullying involving two senior male staff.

Two senior male managers at Nine have been reported to the network’s independent review over claims of sexual harassment and bullying by a former young female staffer.

The two males – who both still work at the commercial network – have been reported by the woman over allegations of mistreatment of her during her time at Nine which eventually resulted in her leaving the company in early 2022.

The female employee – who signed a deed of release – was given a five-digit payout by the network after she claimed she was managed out of the business.

It is understood during the report the woman made this month, she claimed she endured “predatory behaviour” during her time at Nine which took place during end-of-year celebrations among staff near Nine’s then headquarters Willoughby on Sydney’s north shore in late 2019.

It is claimed one male executive was plying younger female staff with drinks before an alleged incident took place with the female staff member following the festivities.

She claims it resulted in her eventually being bullied and managed out of the business by another senior male manager.

The complaints made against the two male managers are both employees who do not work in the network’s news division, highlighting that alleged misconduct spans wider than the company’s news division.

Nine Entertainment Mike Sneesby announced a review into the culture at the media company following allegations of inappropriate behaviour by former news boss Darren Wick.

After the former female employee, who remains distressed by her alleged mistreatment at the network, lodged the complaint via phone she received confirmation from Nine that her report had been made and was offered support.

The message from Nine told the complainant she has made a “courageous step” in reporting the allegations.

It also said Nine appreciated her “trusting us with sensitive information” and the “allegations would be taken seriously.”

Free counselling and psychological help has also been offered to those lodging complaints as part of the review and hotline.

The woman’s report to the independent review is among many claims being lodged over allegations of mistreatment at the network by both past and present employees.

It comes after The Australian revealed last month the former longstanding news and current affairs boss Darren Wick departed the business in March after a complaint was made by a female staff member about inappropriate conduct by him.

Nine’s director of communications and public relations, Victoria Buchan, was repeatedly asked why Wick was taking weeks of leave during the critical TV ratings season in the lead up to his departure.

The Australian was told “on background” that he was on a break and would be returning soon.

On Friday, March 15, the day Wick announced he was leaving, Buchan was asked about his future at the network but would not make any comment.

Former Nine News chief Darren Wick.

Seven hours later the network issued a statement saying he had left the network “after many long beach walks.”

Chief executive officer Mike Sneesby announced on May 30 that Nine would hold an external independent review specific to television news and current affairs and also establish a dedicated hotline to report mistreatment.

The hotline allows employees – both past and present – to report sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour during their time working at Nine.

The review is being conducted by boutique consulting firm, Intersection, which on its website says it has “deep expertise in transforming organisational culture to ensure safety and respect in the workplace.”

“Our workplace reviews seek to understand the drivers and risks of inappropriate workplace behaviours and develop practical evidenced-based solutions to both prevent, and better respond to, incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and other inappropriate behaviours,” the website says.

It is unclear when Intersection review will be completed but the results are being used to reframe and rebuild the culture within the news and current affairs team.

Nine would not comment.