Disgraced former CBC radio personality Jian Ghomeshi is currently entangled in a legal battle over numerous charges of sexual assault, and despite its best efforts to distance itself from the former Q host, the case is reflecting poorly on the CBC as an organization.
When the scandal broke, the CBC hired employment lawyers Janice Rubin and Parisa Nikfarjam to conduct an independent investigation into how the organization handled previous complaints about Ghomeshi. Today (April 16), that report has surfaced.
"Management knew or ought to have known of this behaviour and conduct and failed to take steps required of it in accordance with its own policies to ensure that the workplace was free from disrespectful and abusive conduct," it reads. "It is our conclusion that CBC management condoned this behaviour."
As a result of the report, the CBC has "severed ties" with former head of radio Chris Boyce and HR director Todd Spencer. Both had been on leaves of absence since January.
In a conference call with reporters [via the Toronto Star], CBC president Hubert Lacroix called the report "troubling and disappointing."
"As we have said from the outset, we are, and remain, committed to creating a workplace where safety and respect for one another is a fundamental attribute and non-negotiable," he added. "To the extent that standard has not been met, on behalf of this organization, I offer a sincere and unqualified apology to our employees and to Canadians, who have a right to expect a higher standard from their public broadcaster."
The full report is available here.
As Canadaland suggests, this might not be the only bad news coming from the CBC today, as the organization is rumoured to cut an additional 244 jobs in its latest round of layoffs.
Jian Ghomeshi is due back in court on April 28.
When the scandal broke, the CBC hired employment lawyers Janice Rubin and Parisa Nikfarjam to conduct an independent investigation into how the organization handled previous complaints about Ghomeshi. Today (April 16), that report has surfaced.
"Management knew or ought to have known of this behaviour and conduct and failed to take steps required of it in accordance with its own policies to ensure that the workplace was free from disrespectful and abusive conduct," it reads. "It is our conclusion that CBC management condoned this behaviour."
As a result of the report, the CBC has "severed ties" with former head of radio Chris Boyce and HR director Todd Spencer. Both had been on leaves of absence since January.
In a conference call with reporters [via the Toronto Star], CBC president Hubert Lacroix called the report "troubling and disappointing."
"As we have said from the outset, we are, and remain, committed to creating a workplace where safety and respect for one another is a fundamental attribute and non-negotiable," he added. "To the extent that standard has not been met, on behalf of this organization, I offer a sincere and unqualified apology to our employees and to Canadians, who have a right to expect a higher standard from their public broadcaster."
The full report is available here.
As Canadaland suggests, this might not be the only bad news coming from the CBC today, as the organization is rumoured to cut an additional 244 jobs in its latest round of layoffs.
Jian Ghomeshi is due back in court on April 28.