Ellen DeGeneres’ staff are happy that more are coming forward to speak about the show’s toxic nature following the intense backlash the host receives for allegedly being mean.
Ellen DeGeneres has been receiving non-stop criticism for the way she treats her staff and guests. Many have also come forward to complain about the toxic environment on her show. The former staff is happy that this matter has finally caught the public’s attention.
Ellen DeGeneres’ staff have been talking about the issue
Several former staff of The Ellen DeGeneres Show came forward to share their horrible stories while still working for the TV personality. According to them, the show has a “toxic working environment.”
An insider connected to the show shared that the employees have been talking about the matter.
“They’ve been calling and texting each other about the story,” the source told Us Weekly.
“They’re loving that the truth — which has been an open secret for years in the industry — is finally receiving more interest.”
Staff’s complaints about the show
Ten former staffers and one current employee spoke about The Ellen DeGeneres Show on the condition of anonymity with BuzzFeed. According to them, all employees sign a nondisclosure agreement when they are hired.
“You can’t say anything, even nice things, even if you get fired, even years after you’ve left,” the insider said.
According to them, they had a hard time leaving work. When they ask for permission, it was always a battle between them against the supervisors and HR.
“That’s the definition of a toxic work environment, where they make you feel like you’re going insane and then you’re like, no, everything I was feeling was right. It was all leading up to this,” one former staffer said.
Another added that they were fired after taking time away from the job. A different former staffer also shared that they were warned after creating a GoFundMe page.
The GoFundMe page aimed to raise money for medical costs that were not covered by the company’s health insurance. However, they were asked to take it down as it might hurt Ellen DeGeneres’ image.
“They discovered my fundraiser, then got mad at me. … They were more concerned about Ellen’s brand instead of helping me out,” the former employee said.
How did the producers react to the complaints?
Ellen DeGeneres Show executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner released a joint statement about the issue.
According to them, they “have strived to create an open, safe and inclusive work environment” for over 16 years. So, they were hurt over the complaints from previous staffers.
“We are truly heartbroken and sorry to learn that even one person in our production family has had a negative experience,” the EPs added.
Meanwhile, despite the controversies, the EPs have no plan to cancel the show.
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