Ellen DeGeneres issues apology amid toxic workplace claims
Ellen has broken her silence following months of shocking allegations made by former and current staff members.
Ellen DeGeneres is finally speaking out after her show was accused of having a toxic workplace environment.
The 62-year-old sent a letter to her staff that addressed their concerns, which include claims of bullying, fear, and racism.
"On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case," Ellen wrote, according to Vulture.
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The comedian added she will play her part by pushing to ensure everyone learns and grows from the experience.
"I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded. To think that anyone of you felt that way is awful to me."
Warner Media is conducting an internal investigation to get to the bottom of the allegations.
Ellen said in her letter that she is working with the company to ensure changes are made.
"..we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues."
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The comedian also apologised to her staff, and vowed to do better.
"As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me. It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice.
"I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so."
Warner Media said this week that officials have identified "several staffing changes, along with appropriate measures to address the issues that have been raised".
Some of the allegations made against Ellen and senior management include claims that staff members were fired after missing work to attend family funerals.
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One former employee alleged she lost her job after being admitted to a mental facility following a suicide attempt.
But one of the most shocking accusations levelled against Ellen is that she does not allow staff to look at her or greet her in the office.
A TV executive claimed he experienced similar treatment when Ellen visited Australia's 'Today' show in 2013 for an interview with entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins.
Neil Breen said Ellen's team told him that no one is allowed to talk to her when she entered the room.
"The producer called us aside and said, 'Now Neil, no one is to talk to Ellen. You don't talk to her, you don't approach her, you don't look at her. She'll come in, she'll sit down, she'll talk to Richard and then Ellen will leave.' And I sort of said, 'Are you fair dinkum? I can't look at her?' I found the whole thing bizarre," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.
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