Nine Entertainment’s bombshell cultural review into workplace misconduct to be released on Thursday

The findings of the troubled TV network’s independent review into workplace misconduct will be released this week and staff offered extensive support.

Nine Entertainment will release the findings of its highly-anticipated independent review into its workplace culture on Thursday, following widespread allegations of sexual harassment and bullying at the media company.

Acting chief executive officer Matt Stanton sent an all-staff email on Wednesday to inform employees that the review into Nine’s TV news and current affairs department will be handed to the company’s board and management on Thursday, with a staff briefing to follow later in the day.

The review was announced by former CEO Mike Sneesby in May after The Australian revealed that former veteran news boss Darren Wick had left the company in March after allegations of inappropriate conduct were reported by a female staff member under his authority.

Mr Stanton said the review – conducted by external consulting firm Intersection – was a “comprehensive process and represents an important step for us as we work to strengthen our workplace culture.”

“In line with our commitment earlier this year to share the findings, we want to provide as much information as we can at this point and continue the conversation as we move forward,” he said.

Former Nine News chief Darren Wick. Source: Supplied.

Staff will be provided with support after the report is released at locations across the country for five business days.

Intersection’s principal Natasha de Silva also sent an email, seen by The Australian, to participants of the review, thanking them for their participation and acknowledged that “sharing them (experiences) was not easy.”

“Your experiences have helped shape the report and its recommendations and for that we thank you,” she said.

“Recalling your own experiences of inappropriate workplace behaviour or hearing the experiences of others can be distressing.

“Please do not hesitate to reach out for support if you need it.”

The report will be handed down just three days after Nine announced that communications boss Victoria Buchan had been made redundant. The Australian was told her departure has nothing to do with findings contained in the report.

Nine Entertainment's director of communications and public relations Victoria Buchan.

Buchan has been at Nine for 15 years and had close ties with Wick. She will remain at the business until the end of November.

Ms Buchan will be handling media inquiries about the review on Thursday.

At the time of Wick’s departure, the news boss said in a farewell email to staff that he was leaving Nine because he was “tired” and needed a “rest.”

“And after many long beach walks and even longer conversations, I know in my heart that this is the right time for me to step down and leave Nine,” he said in an email to staff.

Wick did not make any reference to the fact that a serious allegation of workplace misconduct had been levelled against him just weeks before his resignation.

Following Wick’s departure, multiple staff – past and present – spoke to The Australian about their negative experiences within the company’s television and current affairs division at Nine.

In his email to staff on Wednesday, Mr Stanton said: “In addition to a deep-dive into TV News and Current Affairs, Intersection’s review includes the organisation-wide survey involving people across all areas of the business. The review was a comprehensive process and represents an important step for us as we work to strengthen our workplace culture.”

Last month, the company CEO Mike Sneesby left the business, four months after then chair Peter Costello resigned following an incident at Canberra Airport, when he barged into The Australian’s Liam Mendes as the reporter questioned him about Wick’s exit.

Nine’s share price closed at $1.24 on Wednesday, down 0.8 per cent.