“We don’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour”: Nine CEO emails staff as crisis deepens

Nine CEO Mike Sneesby yesterday sent an all-staff email following news reports encircling former news boss Darren Wick, who departed the network in March.

“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,” Sneesby wrote.

“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.

“If you raise an issue, including making a complaint, 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,” the CEO said.

While the email expresses support to staff, it also encourages them to speak to the company.

“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.

“To be very clear, managing these matters are sensitive, and it is imperative that we protect all involved – this involves maintaining confidentiality of the nature of the complaint, and at times the outcomes.”

The email also attached a document by Nine’s general counsel Rachel Launders, titled ‘W&A Whistleblower’, with an explanation outlining how to report incidents in the workplace.

The email follows stories that complaints were lodged with Nine management and discussed at board level. An external legal firm was brought in to investigate but was unable to substantiate the complaint.

Last night SKY News presenter Sharri Markson claimed a well-known Nine presenter had made complaints to a Board member.

It has not been suggested the allegations are true. It is also not inferred the complaints were the reason Wick left Nine.

They also complained of leaks to media during times of contract negotiation.

The story has this week been published by SKY News, The Australia, Daily Telegraph, Seven News and Nine-owned The Age.

Nine is yet to comment on the specifics of the complaints saying, “We do not discuss our processes on any instances of this kind publicly about anyone. These processes are always confidential and it is important for all parties that they remain so.”

Wick narrowly avoided jail time in 2021 after being caught drink-driving, returning a blood-alcohol reading of 0.227 after a work function.