Ellen Show executives reportedly knew about ‘toxic’ workplace allegations two years ago

Source: News Corp Australia Network:

August 27, 2020 at 11:56

Ellen DeGeneres. Picture: Kevin Winter/GettySource:Getty Images

A new report casts doubt over Ellen DeGeneres’ claim she only recently learned about the misconduct allegations plaguing her show.

Executives at The Ellen DeGeneres Show reportedly knew about allegations of toxic workplace behaviour on-set two years before the scandal went public.

Buzzfeed News reports that a former and current employee had confirmed a complaint was filed with an industry union in 2018 “alleging gender discrimination, including sexist remarks made by top producers”.

A Warner Bros spokesperson confirmed the 2018 complaint to Buzzfeed but added that “there is nothing new or noteworthy about this issue”.

Confirmation that allegations were raised two years ago bring fresh doubts about DeGeneres’ public claims she was unaware of what was going on behind the scenes of her show.

In her initial apology letter to staff last month, DeGeneres said: “(I have) not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.”