ITV staff complain about toxic culture of bullying at broadcaster with some being ‘targeted after they raised concerns’
A LARGE number of ITV employees have lodged complaints to Parliament over a “toxic” work environment following the This Morning scandal.
Past and present staff on the daytime show also allege “further bullying and discrimination” took place after they raised their concerns with the broadcaster.
ITV’s chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall had faced the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in June after former host Phillip Schofield’s exit from ITV.
But chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said the committee has since been contacted by a “large number” of ITV workers.
In a letter to Ms McCall, made public yesterday, she said: “These individuals speak with great pride about working at ITV and are hugely positive about many of their colleagues.
However, they also raise claims of toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.”
She added that some had been targeted after coming forward and “in some cases had to leave the organisation with a settlement agreement”.
And Ms Dinenage said: “It is easy to understand why those individuals . . . do not feel capable of attempting to report their concerns, or that ITV will take them seriously.”
This Morning faced a flood of bullying accusations after Schofield quit in May following an affair with a younger colleague.
Former contributor Dr Ranj Singh claimed he was “managed out” after complaining of a toxic environment.
ITV has launched a probe into Schofield’s behaviour, with Dr Ranj among those set to be interviewed.
Schofield’s former co-host Holly Willoughby took time off when the row erupted, before returning alongside presenters including Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson.
She is currently on her summer break and will return in September.