Nine CEO Mike Sneesby urges staff to report ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after news boss’ Darren Wick’s exit

Mike Sneesby has urged the company’s staff to come forward with any complaints amid new claims that former news boss Darren Wick groped a TV star at a Logies after-party.

Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby and former news boss Darren Wick, inset.

Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby has urged the company’s staff to come forward with any complaints about ­“inappropriate behaviour”, amid new claims that its former news boss Darren Wick groped a TV star at a Logies after-party

The email sent to all staff on Wednesday afternoon referenced media reports this week that have shone a light on the media giant’s internal processes, amid alle­gations about the workplace conduct of Wick.

On Monday, The Australian revealed Wick left the company in March after allegations of ­inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member.

Wick quit his role on March 15 after taking extended leave over the summer months, and told staff in a farewell email that after “four decades of working as a journalist” he was exhausted.

It came as an on-air Nine personality – who did not reveal her identity – claimed in an interview with Sky News’s Sharri Markson that Wick had sexually harassed her in public at an awards night on the Gold Coast.

“On the dance floor at the Gold Coast Logies afterparty he was gropey, he had his hands everywhere, breathing heavily in my ear, I had to peel him off me,” she said.

“Any other man I might have kicked or pushed, but he was my boss.”

The unnamed Nine personality told Sky News that when she complained, a senior Nine executive responded: “That’s just Wickie.”

She also alleged Wick was often drunk and inappropriate. “It was commonplace for him to drink heavily at functions and he would often get in women’s personal space. We were revolted by him,” she said.

At the time Wick left the TV station, Nine’s communications team, headed by long-serving company executive Victoria Buchan – a close friend of Wick – would not respond to questions about alleged harassment complaints against the news boss.

The public airing of the allegations against Wick is particularly problematic for Nine, given its newspapers – most notably The Sydney Morning Herald – have recently probed the toxic workplace behaviour by executives at its commercial rival Seven West Media, and pursued broadcaster Alan Jones over harassment allegations. But as of Wednesday night, Nine Newspapers had not turned its attention to the alleged harassment allegations levelled against its former TV news chief.

Mr Sneesby said in the email to staff on Wednesday: “Many of you will have seen external media over the last few days that draws attention to our internal processes and policies regarding complaints about conduct in the workplace.

“It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we don’t ­tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and want to know if there is inappropriate ­behaviour occurring, so that it can be addressed promptly.

“If you want to make a complaint about treatment in the workplace, you can speak to your leader, your People and Culture representative or any of the leadership team.”

The allegations against Wick, 60, were discussed among the highest levels of management at Nine before his exit, including by the seven-person board chaired by former federal treasurer Peter Costello.

Mr Sneesby, who also sits on the board, reassured staff on Wednesday that their careers would not suffer if they spoke up about an issue in the workplace.

“If you raise an issue … our processes are designed to ensure the ­confidentiality and protection for the individual, as well as the ­confidentiality of the person who the complaint is directed at,” Mr Sneesby said.

“This is ­critical, no matter what level you are in our business, to ­ensure you feel safe to make a complaint and know that it will be handled ­seriously and discreetly.

Wick was contacted for ­comment.