“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is under an internal investigation after numerous accounts of workplace misconduct.
The investigation comes in the wake of accusations that the show has become a toxic work environment for its staffers. In April, Variety reported that the core stage crew heard almost nothing from their bosses for weeks during initial coronavirus lockdowns other than to expect significant pay reductions, creating anxiety among crew members who sought clarity on whether they would need to apply for unemployment benefits. Earlier this month, BuzzFeed News, citing one current and 10 former employees, reported that employees were subject to a culture of racism, fear and intimidation on the job. Some sources said they were fired for taking medical leave and family bereavement days. Most sources reportedly blamed the senior production and management staff for the daily toxicity, not DeGeneres herself.
Executive producers Ed Glavin, Andy Lassner and Mary Connelly said: “We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience. It’s not who we are and not who we strive to be, and not the mission Ellen has set for us.”
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